Cambodia's progress in reducing maternal mortality was recognised internationally this week at the 67th World Health Assembly in Switzerland.

Efforts to increase the number of skilled birth attendants and an increase in the number of 24-hour emergency centres available to pregnant women were both credited with contributing to the reduction of Cambodia’s maternal mortality rate by nearly 60 per cent since 2005.

Issued by the Aspen Institute’s Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health (GLC), the 2014 Resolve Award Special Mention was accepted by Minister of Health Mam Bunheng in Geneva on Tuesday.

“Cambodia and other Resolve Award winners can inspire other countries,” Musimbi Kanyoro, president and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, said.

“Their work recognises that reproductive health is connected to a broad range of development objectives, including education, livelihoods, and security,” Kanyoro added.