H4+ is an initiative of collective leadership and a collaborative effort by six agencies within the United Nations system (UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank) to provide harmonized support to countries in their efforts to achieve MDGs 4 and 5 and to fulfil their commitments to realizing the objectives of the Global Strategy. H4+ was initially established before the Global Strategy and focused on advancing maternal and newborn health in support of MDGs 4 and 5. After the 2010 launch of the Global Strategy, the focus of H4+ was expanded to include reproductive health, child health, and the task of helping countries put into action their commitments under the Global Strategy for the integrated package of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) services.rnThe H4+ partnership focuses on countries with a high burden of maternal and child mortalityrnThe joint programme of H4+ works closely and effectively with governments by creating synergies in support of country health plans. The H4+ partner agencies have the necessary expertise in RMNCH health matters as well as the appropriate experience working in low-income, high-burden countries. Furthermore, H4+ capitalizes on longstanding engagements between UN agencies and Member States that can facilitate lasting reforms at the level of national policy and legislation. It also capitalizes on existing UN structures at global, regional, sub-regional and national levels, facilitating routine exchange of lessons learnt, and South–South cooperation. H4+ partner agencies have unique convening powers, that have been effectively brought to bear on the Global Strategy.