Leading global health experts, policymakers and parliamentarians are convening in Cape Town from 17th to 19th April at the Countdown to 2015 conference to address the urgent need for accelerated progress to reduce maternal, newborn and child deaths. According to the 2008 report, Tracking Progress in Maternal, Newborn & Child Survival, released today, few of the 68 developing countries that account for 97 per cent of maternal and child deaths worldwide are making adequate progress to provide critical health care needed to save the lives of women, infants and children.