A delegation of faith-based leaders are to launch a new religious partnership aimed at improving the health of women and children in developing countries.

Its launch will coincide with a major UN summit in New York next week to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals, which were agreed by world leaders in 2000 with the aim of halving global poverty by 2015.

The delegation will be present at the summit, which starts on Monday, as well as a two-day side event exploring the link between religion and faith and the MDGs.

The faith leaders, which represent a wide spectrum of religious practice and public health experience, will convey their collective concern for the wellbeing of society and their support for the UN-sponsored Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health.

The launch of the partnership marks the beginning of a five-year effort by the WCC and inter-religious partners to promote women’s and children’s health in various countries.

In the week running up to the MDG summit, the WCC co-sponsored activities related to the Global Call to Action against Poverty, including a rally at the Lincoln Centre in New York.

During the rally, Dr Manoj Kurian from the WCC read a statement affirming the inherent value of human life to all religions and the crucial role that faith-based organisations play in ensuring that human beings, irrespective of gender or age, to be protected and nurtured.

The delegation will be represented on the last day of the summit on Wednesday by the WCC's president for North America, the Rev Dr Bernice Powell.

On Wednesday, UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon will officially launch the Global Strategy on Women’s and Children’s Health.

The religiosu partnership will see the WCC collaborate with a number of bodies, including the All Africa Conference of Churches and the African Council of Religious Leaders, and religious partners in 11 countries, including India, South Africa, Afghanistan and Indonesia.

They will work together to raise awareness on the issue of women's and children's health, and coordinate consultations with senior religious leaders, health experts and civic leaders in political support for the MDGs.

They will also seek to mobilise faith-based organisations in supporting health promotion at the community level, and promoting transparency and accountability in government efforts.