The first high-level consultation between UNFPA and WHO in 2002 called for collaboration in health- sector-wide approaches (SWAps), and adequate investment in reproductive health. In 2004, the second high-level consultation recognized the progress made, and identified a need for complementary efforts from both agencies to mainstream SRH in national and international planning processes. It was recognized that greater engagement in SWAps and poverty-reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) required the provision of high-quality, independent policy and technical advice that comprehensively addressed sectoral development. As a first step towards structuring an active joint programme of work, a “needs assessment” was carried out to determine.
