The United Nations Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, known as the Human Reproduction Programme or HRP, has been providing the world with research findings and guidance on sexual health and reproduction (SRH) for more than half a century. This annual report highlights the programme’s key achievements in 2023, and points to major ongoing research that will be completed in the next few years.

Tackling the consequences associated with reproductive health problems is a priority in developing countries, in particular with its impact on social and economic development. The UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) seeks to do this, by supporting basic, clinical, epidemiological social science and operations research and conducting systematic reviews. This report presents an overview of the HRP's work over the biennium 2002-2003. Divided into six chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of reproductive health, such as: family planning; making pregnancy safer; reproductive tract infections; preventing unsafe abortion; adolescent sexual and reproductive health and co-operating with countries, the report makes a case for more substantial funding to further the work of the programme.