As Global Population Nears 7 Billion, UN Capitalizes on New Opportunities

The panel featured UN Secretary -General Dan Ki-moon and UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Dabatunde Osotimehin as well as Sheri S. McCoy, vice chairman of Johnson & Johnson; Carsten Staur, permanent representative of Denmark to the United Nations and Naveen Salvadurai, co-founder of Foursquare, among others. Photo: UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

14 September 2011

UNITED NATIONS — With the world’s population projected to top 7 billion next month, the United Nations today launched a global initiative – 7 Billion Actions – bringing together governments, businesses, the media and individuals to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities offered by the milestone.

“We are not here simply to acknowledge that milestone. We are here to address all of its vast implications,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a panel discussion at the launch ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York.

“The seven billionth citizen will be born into a world of contradictions. We have plenty of food yet millions are still starving. We see luxurious lifestyles yet millions are impoverished. We have great opportunities for progress but also great obstacles,” he said, terming the campaign “a clarion call to people, communities, countries and our partners: non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses, academics and faith leaders.”

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