The Fifth APPC Plan of Action, the ICPD Programme of Action and the Millennium Development Goals: linkages, progress and challenges.

This paper highlights the various linkages between the Plan of Action on Population and Poverty of the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (Fifth APPC) the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It presents the progress achieved and challenges faced by countries in the Asian and Pacific region in areas relating to poverty reduction maternal and reproductive health education and gender equality among others. While the region has forged ahead towards achieving development goals the global financial crisis compounded by the food-fuel crises and climate change have exposed the region to enormous human and environmental costs and unprecedented threats with adverse effects particularly on poor countries and disadvantaged populations.