This highly regarded organization is one of the few engaged in contraceptive research and development that focuses on the needs of the developing world. The Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) merits the Bank's continued and expanded support.

This report presents an overview of the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction's (HRP) work over the biennium 2002-2003. Chapter 1 looks at activities in the area of family planning. Chapter 2 outlines research activities carried out in the context of WHO's Making Pregnancy Safer initiative. Research on the control of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is described in Chapter 3. HRP's work on preventing unsafe abortion, which responds to the recommendations of the International Conference on Population and Development, is described i.

In response to the close link between economic and population issues recognized by the United Nations in 1957, the World Health Organization (WHO) was prompted to address the concerns of developing nations dealing with slow economic growth and high population growth by 1964. Establishing the Human Reproduction Unit in 1965, WHO outlined its strategy in 1965, acknowledging the repercussions of population changes on health conditions. A pivotal development occurred in 1970 when global organizations convened to discuss a research program on human reproduction, leading to the creation of the Expanded Programme of Research, Development, and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) in 1971. The HRP, with its scientifically authoritative and neutral methods, significantly contributed to the development of contraception methods, which are still in use today. Additionally, the program played a role in disseminating these methods through a discourse rooted in human rights principles. This historical narrative highlights WHO's enduring commitment to addressing global health challenges related to population and reproductive health.

Reports the main activities of the WHO Special Programme of Research Training in Human Reproduction during the 1988-1989 biennium. Presented in a popular, non-technical style, the book serves as both an explanation of the many challenges facing research in human reproduction and an encouraging record of the way these challenges are being met through a coordinated international research effort.

Special Topic Issue: Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 2012, Vol. 74, No. 3 This volume is a must read' resource on 40 years of research to develop and guide interventions for improving sexual and reproductive health by HRP, the Special Programme for Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction hosted by WHO and co-sponsored by UNDP, UNFPA, WHO and The World Bank. Insights are provided on how HRP was established to conduct research to address evolving needs in human reproduction. Over the years, HRP has been a global leader in the generation and synthesis of evidence on new methodologies in the field. It contributed to defining the concept of reproductive health and assists countries in their efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals and targets, especially that for achieving universal access to reproductive health. This special issue provides a chronicle of its achievements and includes significant references on its pioneering work. Tracing the history of HRP through informative articles, this work will provide valuable reading for all those interested in the areas of family planning, obstetrics, fertility, gynecology, AIDS research, andrology and epidemiology.