UN chief welcomes earth’s 8 billion inhabitant

By Catherine Ageno

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is calling on world leaders to mark this year’s World Population Day with focus on global shared values and contribute to a common future.

He notes that this year’s World Population Day falls during a milestone year, when the global population is expected to hit 8 billion.

The UN chief says reaching a global population of 8 billion is a numerical landmark, but all focus must always be on people.

He says leaders must now strive to build 8 billion opportunities for the 8 billion people to live dignified and fulfilled lives.

Guterres adds that this is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, and a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another

“Amidst COVID-19, the climate crisis, wars and conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, hunger and poverty, our world is in peril”, Mr. Guterres said in a statement.

He also urges the global population to renew the promise to fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for a sustainable and inclusive future for all eight billion of us, leaving no one behind

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna