Dakar, Senegal - The resident-coordinator of the UN system in Senegal, Mrs. Binetou Djibo, Wednesday urged African governments to invest more to improve the living conditions of populations. Djibo, who spoke during celebrations marking seven billion human beings on earth, described this as a huge challenge for governments, international organizations, NGOs, and academics, noting that as long as the world population was growing, it has become more and more urgent to solve development problems already existing. 'We are not the only one to take up challenges, we are from now on part of a world community, an interconnected planetary village, where actions taken in a country or region immediately will impact other places of the world,' she said. She stressed that the seven-billion-human-being campaign must urge decision-makers to think about the challenges and opportunities on offer from the world whose population has hit seven billion.

According to her, it is about an appeal for action and mobilization for a more fair and sustainable world.

'The world has an opportunity and responsibility to make it, so that a seven billion world of people can be a better place for all of us,' Djibo emphasised, adding that the campaign gives the unique opportunity to be aware of our common humanity just like our diversity and to celebrate them.

She stressed 'each of us have a role to play and an inevitable vocation for mutual aid, to make the world a better place,' adding that it was up to governments and organizations to seek solutions to problems that can be solved only by populations themselves.

Pana 03/11/2011