Top United Nations officials today marked the global population reaching 7 billion with a call to action to world leaders to meet the challenges that a growing population poses, from ensuring adequate food and clean water to guaranteeing equal access to security and justice.
"Today, we welcome baby 7 billion. In doing so we must recognize our moral and pragmatic obligation to do the right thing for him, or for her." - Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
Mr. Ban noted that the world's population reached 6 billion in 1998, only 13 years ago, and it is expected to grow to 9 billion by the middle of this century, or even a few years earlier - by 2043.
"But today - this Day of 7 Billion - is not about one newborn, or even one generation. This is a day about our entire human family." - Mr. Ban
The world today is one of "terrible contradictions," said Mr. Ban, noting that there is plenty of food but 1 billion people go hungry; lavish lifestyles for a few, but poverty for too many others; huge advances in medicine while mothers die everyday in childbirth; and billions spent on weapons to kill people instead of keeping them safe.
"I am one of 7 billion. You are also one of 7 billion. Together, we can be 7 billion strong - by working in solidarity for a better world for all." -Secretary-General Ban
In an op-ed published in The International Herald Tribune, Mr. Ban said that as the world population passes 7 billion, "alarm bells are ringing." He noted that the meeting later this week in France of the Group of 20 leading and emerging economies (G-20) is taking place against the backdrop of growing economic uncertainty and mounting inequality.
The President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, said today's milestone is a reminder of how the world's poorest - the so-called 'bottom billion' - are rendered vulnerable with little or no access to basic needs.
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