ISTANBUL—The world will soon welcome its 7 billionth person, with most population growth occurring in poor countries. Many of those countries are witnessing 'youth quakes', which will have long-term effects on their development and poverty reduction struggles. That includes more than 170 million young people in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 18.2 million of whom live on less than $2 a day and nearly 6 million are underfed.
During the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, to be held in Istanbul, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will present a blueprint on what poor countries can do to enrich their bursting populations as human capital that could free them from poverty. It will also convene a regional youth forum to discuss the concerns of young people in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Furthermore, UNFPA will open its first Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, in Istanbul.
Members of the press are invited to the following events:
WHAT: Launch of Population Dynamics in the LDCs: Challenges and Opportunities for Development and Poverty Reduction
Who: Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA
Where: The Loft, press briefing room at the Lutfi Kirdar Centre
When: 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, 10 May
WHAT: Opening of UNFPA’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Who: High-level Turkish official
Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA
Where: Hakki Yeten Caddesi Selenium Plaza, No: 10-C Kat 18-19, 34349, Fulya, Besiktas
When: 6 p.m., Tuesday, 10 May
WHAT: Regional Conference on Investing in Youth: Path to Accelerated Development
Who: Representatives of more than 100 non-governmental organizations and youth groups from countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Where: Sheraton Maslak Hotel, Buyukdere Caddesi
When: 9-10:45 A.M., Wednesday, 11 May
WHAT: Special event on Population and Poverty in the LDCs
Who: Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA. Panelists will include representatives from the International Labour Organization and the governments of Finland and Nepal
Where: Tophane Hall, Istanbul Congress Centre
When: 1:15-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, 11 May
