“The planet’s social and economic inequalities must be addressed if women and children are to ‘survive and thrive,’ [U.N.] Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged today, calling for accelerated action on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline,” the U.N. News Centre reports. “In remarks delivered to a special event held by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and titled ‘Meeting the Challenges of the Health MDGs and Beyond,’ Ban told delegates that while much progress in achieving the goals has been made, a great deal still remained to be done,” the news service notes (5/6). In a separate article, the news service reports on a U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Confederation of Midwives joint statement to mark the International Day of the Midwife, observed on May 5, writing, “Midwives can make the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of women every year, the United Nations population agency affirmed today, recognizing their crucial role in improving maternal health, family planning and assisting during humanitarian emergencies” (5/6).