This working document, drawn up on the basis of the World Bank report, focuses on Africa and more specifically West and Central Africa, and gives an overview of the efforts required in this part of the world with regard to a ‘catching-up’ strategy to stop it lagging further, the key development stakes and challenges it faces. It also underlines Africa’s comparative advantage compared to other regions of the world in terms of its large demographic potential.

This newsletter presents the highlights of the visit of the Director of UNFPA's West and Central Africa Regional Office to the Republic of Congo. During his visit to the Congo, Mr. Mabingue Ngom, had the opportunity, through field visits and meetings with partners, to see for himself the reality on the ground. Congo might be an orange country, but looking back at his visit, the Regional Director confessed that UNFPA Congo’s challenges are the same, if not worse, than those faced by red LIC’s.

In this issue of UNFPA Liberia's newsletter: UNFPA and Swedish Govt. Sign agreement to empower Young People, UNFPA and partners Observe World Population Day (11 July), Renewed Collaboration to end obstetric fistula in Liberia, MoH with support from UNFPA begins rollout of tool to monitor EmONC, Fistula Programme graduates 35 survivors from skills training center, MoH and partners adopt new family planning Strategy.

UNFPA GCC July-September 2016 highlights some important topics, including the training workshop held for Ministry of Social Development staff featuring puppet shadow theatre, a refresher training held for Oman Y-PEERs, UNFPA GCC participation in the Country Co-operation Strategy (CCS) 2016-2022 of WHO and the Government of Oman, UNFPA GCC participation in the celebration of the International Day of Non-Violence held by Raj Yoga Center in Muscat and UNFPA ED statement on World Contraception Day. 

During 2015, the Humanitarian Country Team supported the national
effort, preparing one of the most highly prioritized appeals
launched in the region. Partners, supported generously by donors,
have worked around the clock to reach people under siege,
help newly displaced seek safety, provide life-saving support
to families at extreme risk, and deliver assistance to returnees.
Unfortunately, all indicators point to a worsening situation. Iraq,
a country devastated by years of violence and conflict, is experiencing

PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The new development agenda and evolving funding dynamic call for new thinking, new partnerships and new ways of doing business. While our current financial situation, at least for now, may not allow us to do more, we can endeavour to do better—and we will.

In 2015, we sought ways to secure more predictable and stable funding while continuing efforts towards innovation, both in our operations and programme delivery, as a means of achieving greater efficiency, greater results and greater impact.