PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UN: UN official stresses link between demographic shifts, UN development, climate priorities
New York, US (PANA) - UN Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Wu Hongbo, on Monday said there is an important link between population changes and UN's current development priorities.
"The year 2015 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve transformational global change," Mr. Wu said at the opening of the 48th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development at UN headquarters in New York.
He said: "In our world of stark and destabilizing inequality, where hundreds of millions of people struggle against assaults on their human dignity, we must honour our promise to leave no one behind."
Mr. Wu said he looked forward to a session that would contribute further to realizing the rights and worth of every individual and protecting the environment for generations to come.
"You meet as the international community strives this year to forge a set of sustainable development goals and a meaningful new universal climate agreement, and these twin priorities will be influenced by the profound demographic shifts taking place in our world, especially those related to youth, the elderly, urbanization and migration," he stated.
The UN official noted that, as the world’s population of young people reached its highest in history, one of those shifts being felt by many countries was the 'youth bulge', which, if handled properly, could allow those countries to reap a demographic dividend.
"This however requires enhancing education for both girls and boys, ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health care, and creating more decent jobs."
He said: "While the youth population is indeed expanding, the fastest growing age group worldwide is comprised of people aged 60 and over. That meant that work forces were shrinking and populations greying, and it made it necessary to forge societies where older persons can contribute to the fullest and enjoy the social protections they deserve."
He noted the increasing urbanization, the benefits of which needed to be optimized, stressing the need to create conditions for safe, orderly and regular migration.
"Far too many migrants suffer from exploitation, discrimination and xenophobia, and addressing these violations of their rights will empower migrants to increase their contributions to development in both countries of origin and destination," Mr. Wu said.
The 48th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, runs from 13 to 17 April.
-0- PANA AA/MA 13April2015
"The year 2015 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve transformational global change," Mr. Wu said at the opening of the 48th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development at UN headquarters in New York.
He said: "In our world of stark and destabilizing inequality, where hundreds of millions of people struggle against assaults on their human dignity, we must honour our promise to leave no one behind."
Mr. Wu said he looked forward to a session that would contribute further to realizing the rights and worth of every individual and protecting the environment for generations to come.
"You meet as the international community strives this year to forge a set of sustainable development goals and a meaningful new universal climate agreement, and these twin priorities will be influenced by the profound demographic shifts taking place in our world, especially those related to youth, the elderly, urbanization and migration," he stated.
The UN official noted that, as the world’s population of young people reached its highest in history, one of those shifts being felt by many countries was the 'youth bulge', which, if handled properly, could allow those countries to reap a demographic dividend.
"This however requires enhancing education for both girls and boys, ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health care, and creating more decent jobs."
He said: "While the youth population is indeed expanding, the fastest growing age group worldwide is comprised of people aged 60 and over. That meant that work forces were shrinking and populations greying, and it made it necessary to forge societies where older persons can contribute to the fullest and enjoy the social protections they deserve."
He noted the increasing urbanization, the benefits of which needed to be optimized, stressing the need to create conditions for safe, orderly and regular migration.
"Far too many migrants suffer from exploitation, discrimination and xenophobia, and addressing these violations of their rights will empower migrants to increase their contributions to development in both countries of origin and destination," Mr. Wu said.
The 48th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, runs from 13 to 17 April.
-0- PANA AA/MA 13April2015
