Countries around the world have marked the world's population reaching 7 billion with ceremonies for newborn infants.
The United Nations had said that by its best estimates, the world population would reach 7 billion sometime on October 31, but it has said it will not designate a single newborn as the 7-billionth baby, as it did when the global count reached 6 billion in October 1999.
Countries around the world have scheduled ceremonies to mark the milestone, with a series of symbolic seventh-billion babies being born.
The Philippines was the first country to proclaim the seven-billionth baby, a girl named Danica May Camacho who was born two minutes before midnight on October 30 in a Manila maternity hospital.
Meanwhile, speaking in New York, UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned world leaders that they could face mounting protests from the world's 7 billion people unless they tackle inequality.
Ban said our planet, where almost 1 billion people go hungry, is "one of terrible contradictions."
"The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing," Ban said. "In the poorest countries extreme poverty, food insecurity, inequality, high death rates, and high birthrates are linked in a vicious cycle. So we have to address all these issues in a comprehensive manner."
compiled from agency reports
The United Nations had said that by its best estimates, the world population would reach 7 billion sometime on October 31, but it has said it will not designate a single newborn as the 7-billionth baby, as it did when the global count reached 6 billion in October 1999.
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Countries around the world have scheduled ceremonies to mark the milestone, with a series of symbolic seventh-billion babies being born.
The Philippines was the first country to proclaim the seven-billionth baby, a girl named Danica May Camacho who was born two minutes before midnight on October 30 in a Manila maternity hospital.
Meanwhile, speaking in New York, UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned world leaders that they could face mounting protests from the world's 7 billion people unless they tackle inequality.
Ban said our planet, where almost 1 billion people go hungry, is "one of terrible contradictions."
"The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing," Ban said. "In the poorest countries extreme poverty, food insecurity, inequality, high death rates, and high birthrates are linked in a vicious cycle. So we have to address all these issues in a comprehensive manner."
compiled from agency reports