This is the latest in a series of Asia-Pacific MDGs reports produced since 2004 by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific / Asian Development Bank / United Nations Development Programme regional partnership to support the achievements of the MDGs.

This year's report underlines the extent of disparities across the region, looking especially at the wide gaps in the goals related to health and nutrition where the region is particularly under-performing. Even countries that have been making rapid economic progress still lose chocking numbers of children before their fifth birthday as well as thousands of mothers who die unnecessarily as a consequence of the natural process of childbirth.

The report also reveals many opportunities for improving health outcomes - highlighting the programmes and policies which, when backed by commitment and adequate resources, could make the Asia-Pacific region a driving force behind the global achievement of the MDGs.