July 11: World Population Day
Today, July 11, the world observes annual World Population Day by bringing population-related issues towards the forefront of international discussion. The commemoration of this day has its roots in the observation of the Day of Five Billion in 1987, and demonstrates the need for further consideration of population issues as we live in a world which - exactly 30 years later - is filled with 7.6 billion people. World Population Day has been officially established on the 11th of July through a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly for 27 years. To coincide with World Population Day, the United Nations Population Fund is holding a Family Planning Summit in London. The UNFPA as well as other global actors also research and disperse information on how population issues, the environment, and international development can mutually impact one another.
One such group of researchers from the United States have recently published a study projecting that mortality rates in the U.S. will increase by 5.4/100,000 for every rise of 1°C in average temperatures. They also predict that climate change will disproportionately impact communities in poverty as they will be battling against extreme heat as well as flood and hurricane damages with comparatively less access to resources.
To discuss in further detail the concerns surrounding population issues, development, and disasters, the Aid and International Development Forum will hold the Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit on September 6-7 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. The Summit strives to enable quicker and better response during crises and catastrophes by improving effectiveness, cost-efficiency and sustainability of aid operations. This year’s programme will expand its scope beyond disaster relief and will look into emerging global challenges, innovations and opportunities in international aid and development sector.
Confirmed speakers include:
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Christopher Smith, Director of Individual Assistance, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United Sates Department of Homeland Security
- Dr Joe Leitmann, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Team Leader, Resilient Recovery and Urban Resilience, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), World Bank Group
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Richard Leach, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Food Program USA
- Gemma Bulos, Director, Global Women’s Water Initiative
See the full list of confirmed speaker at our conference website: http://disaster-relief.aidforum.org/speakers
See the full agenda here: http://disaster-relief.aidforum.org/agenda
To learn more about disaster related issues, email Alina O’Keeffe at marketing@aidforum.org with a request for participation.
Image source: UNFPA
