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  • UN seeks release of Chibok girls

    UN seeks release of Chibok girls

    Ki-Moon invites Buhari, world leaders for conference

    United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon yesterday demanded the unconditional release of the Chibok girls.

    Over 200 secondary school girls were abducted from Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Ki-Moon spoke during a remark at the end of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

    According to him, the UN is poised to work with Nigeria to counter terrorism in the country and the continent.

    He said a change being championed by this administration will also bring about positive change in the continent.

    He said: “This week will witness the 500 days of the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls. I want to reiterate my support for the Chibok girls and so many other innocent abducted girls and boys whose names and fate remain unknown.

    “It is intolerable that their lives and schooling have been disrupted in this way. The whole world has been moved by their fate. I once again call, on the strongest possible terms, of those responsible to unconditionally release these girls and many other abducted children. I will have more to say this afternoon in my speech.”

    He said that he discussed with President Buhari a full range of issues covering development, human rights, peace and security including the cause of troubling levels of violence and terror perpetuated by Boko Haram in the northeastern and the world.

    Expressing solidarity with the Nigerian people and government and the affected families and victims, he said: “I express my solidarity again with the Nigerian people. The UN will work together with Nigeria to address and counter extremism and terrorism.

    “Terrorism knows no boundaries and no bounds. Today, I laid a wreath in memory of the Nigerian and other victims. Now, more than ever, collaboration is indispensable in addressing these crimes.

    “The president has made regional engagement efforts and I am hopeful for the rapid operationalisation of the  regional task force.” He said

    Noting that President Buhari in his inaugural speech recognised human rights as important part of counter insurgency response and operations, he said that the war against the terrorists should be conducted with a full respect for human rights, humanitarian and refugee law.

    He also pointed out that the military approach alone will not be sufficient in the war against terrorism.

    According to him, the efforts to tackle the causes of the grievances in the Northeast was also discussed with President Buhari.

    He said: “President Buhari and I discussed also efforts to address root causes by tackling socio economic grievances in the northeast, in particular the need to expand educational and employment opportunities for young people.

    “The recent agreement by UN member states on a due sustainable development agenda and on the Addis  Ababa action agenda will provide further financing vehicles to help Nigeria achieve its agenda for change.

    “The humanitarian situation in the northeast is particularly worrying. We are working with partners on the ground to scale up humanitarian operations.

    “We congratulated President Buhari on the efforts to protect and uphold the rights of displaced persons.” He added

    Ki-Moon commended President Buhari for prioritizing insecurity, anti-corruption and unemployment issues in the country.

    He said: “My message is simple; the UN supports your efforts to advance hope, peace, sustainable development and human rights in a comprehensive way. I’m convinced that when you change Nigeria, you will also change Africa.

    “Nigeria has been a source of stability in West Africa and the wider continent. You are a key contributor to UN peacekeeping operations including successful missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

    “Nigeria is once again playing a crucial role in the UN security Council over which Amb. Joy Ogwu is now presiding this month as president of the security Council.” He said.

    On 2015 Presidential election in Nigeria, he said: “I hope that this example will be emulated by many countries around the world and this message of hope that could be spread to far and wide around the world.

    “Mr President, I am here at your moment of complex challenges but also time of promise and hope. I want to commend the people of Nigeria on the peaceful, free and fair elections.

    “I salute the statesmanship of example of both President Buhari and for President Goodluck Jonathan. For the first time in Nigerian history, a sitting president peaceful ceded power to an opposition candidate in a democratic election.

    “The elections sent a strong global message of respect for democracy and the rule of law.

    “Once again Mr President and ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to be in Nigeria and to preach the full support of the UN to advance the shared and universal call for peace, development and human rights.” He stated

    President Buhari thanked the Secretary General for his depth of the appreciation of Nigeria’s problems.

    He said: “It shows genuine interest and the humanitarian approach to our problems which he correctly and eloquently described in terms of security, the economy and how the international community and the UN in particular, which here are present in time to help us to solve this problems.

    “We have discussed with him the difficulty time Nigeria finds itself; the destruction of infrastructure, especially in the northeast, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the over 1.5 million internally displaced persons that have to be morally, physically and materially rehabilitated.

    “And the efforts we think the UN secretary general can convey to the UN so Nigeria can be helped in the identified problems that we have.” He said

    President Buhari also thanked the Secretary General for inviting him for the 27th and 28th of September’s UN general assembly meeting billed to discuss issues globally on security and economy.

    “I very sincerely, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, thank the Secretary General for his visit and for identifying with our problems and for appreciating what efforts Nigeria was able to do in terms of stabilising the region and the neighboring region in the central African area where they have crisis,” he stated.

    The President accepted an invitation from Ki-moon to a meeting of world leaders in New York which is expected to formulate a fresh plan of action against extremism.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Mallam  Garba Shehu, said United States President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande are also expected to participate in the September 28 meeting.

    The meeting will, among other things, deliberate on a new United Nations draft resolution on combating extremism worldwide.

    The statement reads: “Mr. Ban Ki Moon invited President Buhari to a meeting of a select group of 25 World leaders in New York on September 27 to deliberate on a global climate change agreement.”

    “The Secretary-General said they were in recognition of the political will demonstrated by President Buhari in combating terror in Nigeria and dealing with environmental issues.

    “Ki Moon applauded moves by the Buhari Administration to clean up Ogoniland and promised the full support of the United Nations for the exercise.

    “We will find ways to complement your leadership on environmental reform. We are happy with your plans for the restoration of Ogoniland and we will see how we can help,” the UN Secretary-General assured President Buhari.

    He said that the UN will welcome President Buhari’s “input and experience” in finalizing plans to introduce a new resolution against extremism at the General Assembly.

     

  • Ban Ki-Moon demands unconditional release of Chibok girls

    Ban Ki-Moon demands unconditional release of Chibok girls

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon has on Monday demanded the unconditional release of abducted the over 200 Chibok girls.

    Ki-Moon made the call during a press remark at the end of a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    According to United Nations chief, the UN is poised to work with Nigeria to counter terrorism in the country and the continent.

    He declared that a change being championed by the current administration in Nigeria will also bring about positive change in the continent.

    He said: “This week will witness the 500 day of the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls. I want to reiterate my support for the Chibok girls and so many other innocent abducted girls and boys whose names and fate remain unknown.

    “It is intolerable that their lives and schooling have been disrupted in this way. The whole world has been moved by their fate. I once again call, on the strongest possible terms, of those responsible to unconditionally release these girls and many other abducted children. I will have more to say this afternoon in my speech.”

    He said that he discussed with President Buhari a full range of issues covering development, human rights, peace and security including the cause of troubling levels of violence and terror perpetuated by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria and beyond.

    Expressing solidarity with the government and people of Nigeria and the affected families and victims, he said: “I expressed my solidarity again with the Nigerian people. The UN will work together to address and counter extremism and terrorism.

    “Terrorism knows no boundaries and no bounds. Today, I laid a wreath in memory of the Nigerian and other victims. Now, more than ever, collaboration is indispensable in addressing these crimes.

    “The President has made regional engagement efforts and I am hopeful for the rapid operationalisation of the regional task force.”

     

  • UN to back Nigeria

    UN to back Nigeria

    Nigeria got yesterday a promise from the United Nations (UN) – it will back her efforts to develop.

    UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon spoke of the global body’s stand on Nigeria  in Abuja during a meeting with governors.

    Ki-Moon arrived the country yesterday aboard an Air France flight at 4.15pm and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport by the Permanent Secretary in charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Amb. Bulus Lolo.

    Also in the reception party were the UN Resident Coordinator, Daouda Toure, UNFPA Executive Director Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehin and Special Representative of UN Secretary-General to Nigeria and West Africa Mr. Ibn Chambas.

    The Secretary-General was driven to Transcorp Hilton, where he met with the governors under the aegis of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

    The dialogue with the governors was held under the theme: “Pathways to a New Nigeria – the Role of Sub-national Governments.”

    At the opening session before the meeting went into a closed door, Ki-Moon expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to overcome the “crucial moment”, given the  vigour at which the country is confronting the challenges.

    Ki-Moon noted the important role of the governors, especially as they make policies and implement programmes for the people.

    He said: “This is a crucial moment for Nigeria. And you have to take crucial steps to move the country forward. The United Nations is ready to help you. We have to work together to move the country forward.

    “You (the governors) understand the peoples’ challenges and you have the power to help the people on education, power, development, institution building, security and others

    “Nigeria occupies a pivotal place in the comity of nations. This is time of hope when we have a lot of challenges.

    “I want to commend you for a successful election. Elections should serve as a rally point for the people. But many often, it serves as a means of destruction. Nigeria has done well.”

    He said he hoped that the governors would use the sustainable development goal for the development of their states.

    The NGF Chairman, Zamfara State Governor Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari urged the UN Secretary General to consider funding the Sustainable Development Programme.

    The Sustainable Development Goals is the successor programme of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which ends this year.

    He said: “As you may be aware, most states now anchor their developments along the lines of the MDGs which have been a game changer in the successful efforts to bring solutions to bear on the main problems that bedevil developing nations.

    “As the MDG programme draws to a close this year, let me assure you of the eagerness to again key into the successor programme, the Sustainable Development Goals. We are ready to embrace this programme with the same zeal as soon as it is unveiled,” he said.

     He added, “In view of that, we urging the Secretary General to consider funding the programme together with the dissemination of the human development reports.

    The NGF chair also reassured the UN scribe of the collective resolve of the governors to eradicate polio from the country.

    According to him, governors and other stakeholders are working tirelessly through the instrumentality of campaigns,  more thorough vaccinations and deployment of critical resources to ensure that by 2017 Nigeria is certified polio free.

    He added that Nigeria had made unprecedented stride in the fight against this sc ourge recording a full year without any report of polio in any part of the country.

    Other governors at the meeting are Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Simeon Lalong (Plateau), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Jubrilla Bindow (Adamawa), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Mohammed Abubakar (Jigawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Idris Wada (Kogi).

    Former Ekiti State Governor  Kayode Fayemi was also in attendance.

    The UN Scribe will today meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Villa.

    Ban will also lay a wreath in memory of the 21 persons who died at the UN House, Abuja bombing in 2011, as part of activities to mark the fourth anniversary of the incident.

    The UN scribe will also have lunch with members of the business community with the theme: “The Role of Nigeria Business and the Economy in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and Addressing Climate Change.”

    He will meet the Bring Back Our Girls group which demands government action to free 219 abducted schoolgirls held now for nearly 500 days.

    The Secretary-General is billed to deliver a keynote address at a “Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, Development, Climate Change and Countering Violent Extremism.”

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to chair the dialogue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Ms Amina Mohammed, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, is among those on Ki-Moon’s entourage.

  • UN Scribe in Nigeria for 2-day visit

    UN Scribe in Nigeria for 2-day visit

    The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, on Sunday, arrived in Nigeria on Sunday for a two-day official visit , the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Ki-Moon who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4.15p.m., was received by Amb. Bulus Lolo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The UN Resident Coordinator, Daouda Toure, UNFPA Executive Director, Babatunde Oshotimehin and Special Representative of UN Secretary-General to Nigeria and West Africa, Ibn Chambas were among those who received Ban.

    The Secretary-General was driven to Transcorp Hilton, where he is expected to hold talks with state governors under the aegis of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

    The dialogue with the governors would hold under the theme: “Pathways to a New Nigeria – the Role of Sub-national Governments.”

    The UN Scribe would on Monday, meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, at Aso Rock Villa.

    Ban would later lay a wreath in memory of persons who died at the UN House bombing in 2011, as part of activities to mark the fourth anniversary of the incident.

    The UN scribe would also have lunch with members of the business community with the theme: “The Role of Nigeria Business and the Economy in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and Addressing Climate Change.”

    The Secretary-General is billed to deliver a keynote address at a “Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, Development, Climate Change and Countering Violent Extremism.”

    The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to chair the dialogue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    NAN reports that Ms Amina Mohammed, Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, is among those on Ban’s entourage.

  • 1.5m IDPs in Nigeria, says UN

    1.5m IDPs in Nigeria, says UN

    •Ki-Moon coming on Sunday

    United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mr Daouda Toure yesterday pleaded for more resources to meet the needs of internally displaced people.

    There are about 1.5 million of them.

    Toure spoke in Abuja during the activities to mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day celebration with the theme: “Inspiring the World’s Humanity”.

    “We appeal for more resources to respond particularly to the education and health needs of the displaced people.

    “What is available is not commensurate with the situation on ground as the crisis in the North-East is not publicised enough.

    “Nigeria is the major contributor to peace keeping in the world, so the international community need to contribute more resources, step up their support and restore the livelihood of these vulnerable people.

    “We need to come and help them, help their brothers and sisters and help them get a better future for their children.’’

    Toure added that the major challenges facing the humanitarian community today was the lack of access to security and limited resources.

    He called on stakeholders to mobilise themselves, unite and re-examine the reasons for the slow response and support needed to tackle the security challenges.

    Earlier, Mr Muhammad Sani Sidi, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stated that the capacity to handle the present IDPs was not enough.

    Sidi added that though a lot of effort and resources had been channelled towards the displaced persons, it was not enough because of their increasing population.

    He said that responses to the needs of the IDPs were dwindling due to lack of adequate capacity.

    Sidi said there was the need for proper coordination to enable them to harness all available resources to improve the living standard of the IDPs.

    He said that the day was set aside to celebrate the gallantry of humanitarian service providers.

    He said the theme of the day was intended to steer actions of people around the world for a greater humanity and advocate for more peaceful world.

    “We are celebrating people who have sacrificed their lives for peace in the world.

    “These are people who have lost their lives or survived different threats to life while providing humanitarian services especially in violent conflict situations.

    “This celebration is an opportunity to advocate for a peaceful world, bring hope to people affected by disaster and guarantee safety of humanitarian providers rendering service in the Northeast.’’

    He stated that Nigeria had faced a lot of challenges in recent times with the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Sidi commended and thanked the UN and all stakeholders for their support and cooperation during the period.

    Similarly, Mr Danladi Kifasi, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, said the day was an opportunity to honour the selfless dedication of workers and volunteers who devote themselves in assisting the world’s most vulnerable people.

    Kifasi, who was represented by Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Director, Special Duties, also said it was appropriate to remember members of the armed forces and security personnel.

    He added that these groups of people defended the unarmed and vulnerable men, women and children in the Northeast.

    He added that it was through the noble efforts and humanitarian activities of the military that Nigeria had remained indivisible and still able to play its role in the comity of nations.

    The event was organised by NEMA to celebrate the spirit of humanity and people who sacrificed their lives in the cause of rendering humanitarian service.

    The day is an annual and global event dedicated by the UN to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.

    The UN Secretary-General  Ban Ki-moon, is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said yesterday.

    A statement said the UN chief would meet President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday and subsequently engage in other field activities.

  • Ogun condemns SERAP over petition to UN Rapporteurs

    Ogun State Government has condemned the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over its petition to the United Nations (UN) Rapporteurs on the state’s sacked education officials.

    In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, the government accused SERAP of jumping the gun and crying more than the bereaved.

    “Had SERAP examined and understood the facts that led to the decisions of the Ogun State Civil Service Commission, it would have appreciated  they were not even remotely connected with the constitutionally-guaranteed rights to freedom of thought, conscience and expression or academic freedom, which formed the kernel of its petition to the UN Special Rapporteurs,” the statement said.

    The state government wondered if  SERAP had studied the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in relation to disciplinary control over civil servants.

    “Had SERAP looked before leaping, it would have realised that by virtue of Paragraph 2, Part II, Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun,  could not have played any role in the disciplinary measures against the workers,” Adeoluwa said .

    “In the light of the foregoing, government  advised the civil society group  to approach the Ogun State Civil Service Commission for relevant information in order to be well guided,” he added.

  • Praises for UN forum

    Over 400 participants from tertiary institutions, business, government, and civil society, who gathered at the 2015 Global Forum (a UN initiative) for Responsible Management Education – 6th PRME Assembly, in New York, have commended the ongoing work of the PRME community. The forum, which was designed to carve a niche for management education and business, also charged participants to take a leading role in shaping and achieving the global sustainable development agenda.

    The major theme that resonated among participants during the Global Forum was the prospect of business and business education, and their roles in achieving the UN’s forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet, said: “I am encouraged to see the progress you have made-individually, at your academic institutions, and as a community.” As educators, researchers, and thought leaders, the role of participants in achieving the SDGs is essential, she added.

    Jonas Haertle,  Head of the PRME Secretariat, noted that the eight years of PRME have grown the initiative into “a thriving network and a truly global platform for learning and action with over 600 institutions in over 80 countries, all of which have heeded our call to ‘place sustainability at the heart of management education.” According to him, over the last one and a half years, 18 PRME chapters and regional meetings have been held-with the chapters now reaching 12 around the world.

    Resources and deliverables presented at the forum included a report on PRME chapter activities, a toolkit on public reporting (a mandatory requirement for PRME signatory schools), a transformational model to support broader and deeper implementation of the Principles of PRME, and reports on Faculty Development and Learning in a Social Context. PRME Working Groups on Anti-Corruption, Gender Equality, and Poverty met, and new work streams were launched on Business for Peace, Business and Human Rights, and Climate Change.

    The mission of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative is to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally. The six principles of PRME are inspired by internationally accepted values, such as the principles of the United Nations Global Compact. They seek to establish a process of continuous improvement among institutions of management education in order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century..

     

  • UNIC engages 210 girls at summer camp

    UNIC engages 210 girls at summer camp


    The United Nation Information centre in Lagos has concluded plans to engage no fewer than 230 girl children in different vocational trainings.

    It is summer time, widely known as ‘long vacation period’ within the education circle in Nigeria, during which students and their parents get engaged in some predetermined activities both locally and abroad.

    While many pupils have gone on vacation with their parents after a tedious academic year, some are in camps developing their skills and nourishing their interests without hurting their academic studies.

    The latter, of course is in line with the United Nations strategic framework for the Post-2015 Agenda, especially the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No 5 which dwells on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.

    It is in the light of the above that ‘Yes I believe Academy’, a strategic partner of the United Nations Information

    [caption id="attachment_415469" align="alignleft" width="300"]A trainee shoemaker briefs UNIC Director, Mr Ronald Kayanja about shoemaking. A trainee shoemaker briefs UNIC Director, Mr Ronald Kayanja about shoe making.[/caption]

    Centre (UNIC) Lagos, organized a Summer Camp for 210 girls aged between 10 and 18 years. Titled: "Summer Skills Acquisition Workshop", the one week programme featured different training sessions including those on Beadworks, Shoe making, Make-up, soft furnishing, among others.

    Addressing the participants who were students of Gbagada Girls Junior Secondary School, Bariga Lagos, the Director of UNIC Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja spoke about the works and history of the United Nations especially the 70th anniversary.

    He noted that skill acquisition was a lifetime gift which should be embraced by everyone who had the opportunity to get one.

    He commended the parents of the participants for sending their children to the summer camp and to the students he congratulated for being a part of the programme which he assured, would have a positive impact on their future.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director of ‘Yes I Believe Academy’, Mr Niyi Adekunle, disclosed that within four days of training, the children demonstrated high level of seriousness and commitment to learning specific skills.

    Later in company of the facilitators, Mr. Adekunle conducted the UNIC team lead by the Director round the exhibition of some of the products produced by the participants. ‘I am highly impressed,’ Mr Kayanja noted.

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  • UN chief makes case for indigenous peoples

    UN chief makes case for indigenous peoples

    United Nation (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the international community to do more to improve on the health and well-being of indigenous peoples.

    He made the call yesterday in New York in his message to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples observed annually on August 9.

    The UN scribe stated that most of the challenges indigenous people were preventable.

    He listed some as inadequate sanitation and housing, lack of pre-natal care, violence against women, high rates of diabetes, drug and alcohol abuse, youth suicide and infant mortality.

    “These issues must be urgently addressed as part of the post-2015 development agenda in culturally appropriate ways that meet indigenous peoples’ conceptions of and aspirations for well-being,” he said.

    He said the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms the right to maintain indigenous health practices and access to social and health services.

    “We must make every effort to support indigenous peoples’ rights and aspirations as affirmed in the Declaration.

    “On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, I call on the international community to ensure that they are not left behind,’’ the UN chief said.

    According to the UN, out of the 370 million indigenous peoples in the world, approximately 67 million are youths.

  • Nigeria is seventh largest in the world, says UN report

    Nigeria is seventh largest in the world, says UN report

    Nigeria is one of the six countries whose population will exceed the 300 million mark in less than two decades, the United Nations (UN) has said in a report.

    The other countries are: China. India, Indonesia, Pakistan and United States (U.S.)

    Listed as one of the 10 largest countries in the world, the Nigeria is said to have a population believed to be growing the most rapid.

    Going by the UN report, Nigeria has the potential of dislodging the U.S. as the world’s third largest in another 35 years.

     “Among the 10 largest countries in the world currently, one is in Africa (Nigeria), five are in Asia (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan), two are in Latin America (Brazil and Mexico), one is in Northern America (US), and one is in Europe (Russian Federation).

     “Of these, Nigeria’s population, currently the seventh largest in the world, is growing the most rapidly,” said the report. Consequently, the population of Nigeria is projected to surpass that of the United States by about 2050, at which point it would become the third largest country in the world.

     The report also projected that by 2050 the populations of six countries are expected to exceed 300 million: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the United States.

     The in its latest report released yesterday has projected the world’s population to reach 8.5 billion by 2013, 9.7 billion by 2050 and exceed 11 billion in 2100, with India expected to dislodge China as the most populous around seven years from now and Nigeria overtaking the U.S. to become the world’s third largest country around 35 years from now.

    Moreover, the report showed that during the 2015-2050 period, half of the world’s population growth is expected to be concentrated in nine countries: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the United States, Indonesia and Uganda.

    Wu Hongbo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, whose department produced the 2015 Revision of World Population Prospects, the 24th round of official UN population estimates and projections, noted that understanding the demographic changes that are likely to unfold over the coming years “is key to the design and implementation of the new development agenda.”

    UN member states are currently in the process of crafting a successor agenda to the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which wrap up at the end of this year. A new framework, focused on poverty eradication, social inclusion and preserving the health of the planet, is set to be adopted at a special UN summit, in New York in September.

    According to the report’s projections, the current world population of 7.3 billion is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100.

    “Most of the projected increase in the world’s population can be attributed to a short list of high-fertility countries, mainly in Africa, or countries with already large populations,” the report said.

    At present, China and India are the two largest countries in the world, each with more than one billion people, representing 19 and 18 per cent of the world’s population, respectively. But, by 2022, the population of India is expected to surpass that of China.

    And with the highest rate of population growth, Africa is expected to account for more than half of the world’s population growth over the next 35 years.

    During this period, the report said, the populations of 28 African countries are projected to more than double, and by 2100, 10 African countries are projected to have increased by at least a factor of five: Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.