By the close of 2011, the global population will have reached 7 billion people. A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an opportunity with implications on sustainability, urbanization, access to health services and youth empowerment. It also offers a rare call-to-action to renew the global commitment for a healthy and sustainable world for all.
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As more and more people join those of us already here, solving challenges like poverty, discrimination and violence will become increasingly more urgent – and new challenges will arise that demand the best in each of us.
We are now part of a global community where actions taken in one country or region can have an immediate impact on other parts of the world. We have yet to realize the vast human potential among women and girls – who comprise half the world’s population – and the energy and talents of some two billion young people.
This milestone is an occasion to recognize and celebrate our common humanity and diversity. Ensuring the well-being of current and future generations will require unprecedented global cooperation. In a world of 7 billion people, incremental actions will create exponential results. Find out how you can engage through 7 Billion Actions, a UNFPA-led initiative to encourage people to reflect on what it means to live in a world of 7 billion people and take action on issues that affect us all.
Important UNFPA resouces on the subject include:
Fact Sheets:
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Background:
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State of World Population reports
Tap Into a World of Information from our UN Partners
| Adolescents | Adolescence: An Age of Opportunity | HIV and AIDS | UNAIDS |
| Ageing | Department of Social and Economic Affairs | Human Rights | Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights |
| Children | UNICEF | Humanitarian Crises | Office of the High Commissioner on Refugees |
| Climate Change | Human Development Report 2007/2008 | Millennium Development Goals | MDG Gateway |
| Education | UNESCO | Population Trends | UN Population Division |
| Environment | UN Environment Programme | Poverty | UN Development Programme |
| Food | Food and Agriculture Organization | Sustainability | Human Development Report 2011 |
| Gender Equity | UN Women | Urbanization | UN Habitat |
| Health | World Health Organization | Water and Sanitation | UN Water |
News and Updates
Development Policy and the Challenge of Growth
BERLIN -- The paramount challenge of this century is to meet the needs of 7 billion human beings now – and the billions to come – while protecting the intricate balance of nature that sustains life, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin said in a speech at an international conference on development policy and population. In addition to swiftly shifting to a green economy, the world needs to invest in people and address population dynamics through human-rights based policies that are practical and effective, the Executive Director said, outlining three critical actions.more
Investing in People and Equity to Build a World of Opportunity for All
"We at UNFPA continue to emphasize that people and the principle of equity must be kept at the centre of sustainable development. It means recognizing the need to invest in women and young people and promoting human rights. It means increasing equity to build a world of opportunity for all," said UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, at CDU/CSU Conference on sustainable development in Berlin.more
