|
PRESS RELEASES |
11 July 2010 – This year, some 60 countries are collecting data and counting people as part of the 2010 census process. 26 June 2010 – As we prepare for this September’s United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals, we must recognize the major impediment to development posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking. As this year’s theme stresses, it is time to “Think Health, Not Drugs”. 26 June 2010 – Torture is a crime under international law. The prohibition of torture is absolute and unambiguous. UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 23 June 2010 – Updated data on mortality rates among mothers and young children are likely to encourage G8 leaders, who at their meeting later this week will make this health issue – long considered a neglected area of international development efforts – a 2010 priority.
23 June 2010 – On the annual observance of Public Service Day, we pay tribute to public servants everywhere who have improved the lives of others in their communities. Ashgabat, 22 June 2010 – The high-level delegation of the European Union visited the UN House in Ashgabat on June 17 to get acquainted with the UN experience of work in the sphere of human rights in Turkmenistan. 20 June 2010 – On this observance of World Refugee Day, we must note a troubling trend: the decline in the number of refugees who are able to go home. |
|
|
Message from UN Secretary-General on World Population Day |
Message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on World Population Day  11 July 2010 – This year, some 60 countries are collecting data and counting people as part of the 2010 census process. A census is the only statistical operation that covers the whole population and all areas of a country. UNFPA – the United Nations Population Fund – and other partners are supporting this massive effort in many parts of the world.
Access to good data is a component of good governance, transparency and accountability. Population data helps leaders and policy-makers to make informed decisions about policies and programmes to reduce poverty and hunger, and advance education, health and gender equality. Solid data is also needed to effectively respond to humanitarian crises.
The theme of this year’s World Population Day is “Everyone counts”. To be counted is to become visible. This is especially important for women and young people. Data that is sorted by gender and age can foster increased responsiveness by national decision-makers to the rights and needs of women and youth and help build a more equitable and prosperous society.
It is promising that many countries that were unable to complete a national census in the past have reported success during this current round. The next challenge will be to ensure the data is used to make evidence-based plans and policies that will improve opportunities for current and future generations.
On this World Population Day, I call on decision-makers everywhere to make each and every person count. Only by considering the needs of all women and men, girls and boys, can we achieve the Millennium Development Goals and advance the shared values of the United Nations.
|
|
