‘’Today, the world’s population reached 7 billion," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the United Nations Correspondents' Association in New York (October 31), adding that this population "is expected to reach 9 billion in the middle of this century or a few years before". Sometime around 2043, he warned, this will raise numerous challenges, mostly created by urbanization.

"Out of 9 billion, 7 billion will be living in cities. Serious urbanization problems will emerge...By that time, international community must reduce their green house emissions by 50% and even much more, otherwise we can not cope with what we have termed the 50-50-50 challenges. We need to be very serious about this issue.’’

The 50-50-50 challenge presented by the UN calls for member countries to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by the year 2050. According to the Secretary-General, as international community is faced with a growing population sustainable development is the only way forward.

 The Secretary General recalled the current financial and economic crisis and its consequences on the world’s population by declaring  ‘’ Yes, we face a serious economic crisis. For much of the world, fiscal austerity is the new order of the day. Yet, even in these difficult times, we cannot afford to cut loose those who are hardest hit.’’

For this reason, Ban Ki-moon stessed the need to focus on the Rio + 20 Summit (UN Conference on Sustainable Development) taking place in Rio de Janeiro in June of next year.  "We have to make it a success...we have to draw out an action plan, a concrete and workable action plan."

Secretary General will attend the G20 Summit in Cannes (November 3-4) where he will take what he called a ‘’loud and clear’’ message: ‘’Think about our children. Think about the future, with vision and foresight.’’