UN chief urges countries to give support to World Population Day

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Saturday urged countries to give support to the most vulnerable so that they help build sustainable prosperity for generations to come.

In Ban's message on the World Population Day, he said women and adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable,with nearly 60 million individuals having fled conflict or disaster.

"Violent extremists and armed groups are committing terrible abuses that result in trauma, unintended pregnancy and infection with HIV and other diseases," he said.

In this regard, Ban called for protection of women's health, including their sexual and reproductive health, as well as continuous advancement of women's rights in times of both turmoil and calm.

"On this World Population Day, I urge countries to commit to bold results that will make 2015 a time of global action, putting people first so that they help build resilience, peace and sustainable prosperity for generations to come," he said.

World Population Day is observed annually on July 11, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The theme for 2015 World Population Day is vulnerable populations in emergencies.