The reduction of maternal mortality has long been a global health priority and remains a prominent part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The SDGs include a direct emphasis on reducing maternal mortality while also highlighting the importance of moving beyond survival. SDG target 3.1, "reduce global MMR to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030" is an ambitious target and will require sustained commitments to ensure that women and adolescent girls get quality care and support when and where needed.

The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Interagency Group (MMEIG) comprising WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank Group, the United Nations Population Division has collaborated with external academic teams and technical experts on a new round of maternal mortality estimates covering the period 2000 2020. These new MMR estimates supersede all previous estimates and are based on the most up to date data and methods, assessing national, regional and global trends monitoring progress towards 2030. The panel will also report updated cause of maternal death estimates from WHO.

Having targets for maternal mortality reduction is important but accurate data remains the key to robust policy and programming. Authors from Sri Lanka and Jamaica will share data and processes to quantify and reduce missed and misclassified maternal deaths. Enhanced reporting will allow better data use, informing maternal cause of death attribution, informing interventions and tracking including interpretation of the gaps in coverage.