The present Mozambique National Human Development Report 2005, the fifth since 1997, was produced with this general context in mind: to pose the relevance of the MDGs and their close connection with national development strategies, while at the same time reflecting on the challenges that the country must face if it is to meet the Millennium targets by 2015.

While the government and the UNDP have been regularly producing joint reports on progress towards the MDGs, which basically evaluate the advances made in the country towards the established targets, at the same time as identifying the main challenges and priorities for action, this present report is an independent intellectual reflection on this same challenge, making conjectures on the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats that can be detected in specific areas covered by the MDGs.

The UNDP started the process of reporting human development in 1997 with SARDC Mozambique, which produced the first four quality reports (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) as the implementing agency.

To guarantee broad participation in the process and the product, a partnership and consultation methodology was established with the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI). The National Statistics Institute (INE) has produced the data for the Human Development Index (HDI) indicators up to 2004. These form a reliable national statistical basis, which is essential.