Countdown Begins: 7 Days to 7 Billion People

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, October 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

More than 50 Musicians, 13 countries, 1 world anthem: United Nations Population Fund debuts music video on Facebook

Movement calls for individual actions to be featured on http://www.7billionactions.org

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will release a world anthem today entitled United. Performed by more than 50 musicians from 13 countries, United commemorates United Nations Day and marks the beginning of a week-long countdown to 31 October, when the world population is projected to reach 7 billion. Beginning today, visit http://facebook.com/7billionactions to listen to the song, experience the music video and share with your friends.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111023/NY91597LOGO )

"Some say our planet is too crowded.  I say we are seven billion strong," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "In our increasingly interconnected world, we all have something to give and something to gain by working together.  Let us unite, seven billion strong, in the name of the global common good."

United, the result of a partnership between UNFPA, Playing For Change and the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund, is part of 7 Billion Actions, a global campaign to build awareness around the opportunities and challenges of a world of seven billion people.

The initiative calls on citizens and organizations to post their commitments for making a healthier and more sustainable world. With every social issue-from the environment and urbanization to health and youth empowerment-requiring action more urgently than ever before, the 7 billion historic milestone offers an opportunity to rethink relationships with one another and with the planet.

"The world population is interconnected like never before," commented UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin. "I see the milestone of 7 Billion as a call to action to ensure that everyone can enjoy equal rights and dignity."

With the release of United, individuals around the world are invited to create their own unique versions of the song at http://www.7billionactions.org/music and have a chance to be included in a Playing For Change mash-up. In this way, the song and the campaign hopes to inspire all people and organizations to address the challenges of our time and improve our world of seven billion people and counting.

Learn more about 7 Billion Actions and the work that governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and individuals are doing at http://www.7billionactions.org.

About UNFPA

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programs to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect. Visit: http://www.unfpa.org

For more information about Playing For Change, visit http://playingforchange.com/, and about the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund, visit http://www.mdgfund.org/.

For more information, please contact

Omar Gharzeddine
Tel: +1-212-297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org

Tyler Spalding
Tel: +1-212-704-4422
Email: tyler.spalding@edelman.com