Approximately 800 million people worldwide continue to live in conditions of extreme poverty, according to recent statements made by United Nations leadership.
As reported by Operative Information Center-OMM, this figure was highlighted in a message addressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to participants at the Global Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development held in Beijing.
“800 million women, children, and men—from remote rural communities to densely populated urban slums—are still living in extreme poverty,” the Secretary-General stated in his address.
Guterres identified several critical factors exacerbating the situation for these populations, specifically citing ongoing conflicts, the impacts of climate change, deepening global inequality, and the burden of heavy debt.
The UN Secretary-General urged governments to prioritize investments in the creation of decent jobs, access to quality education and healthcare, sustainable rural development, and the establishment of universal social protection systems.
Furthermore, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for reforms within the global financial system. He noted that developing nations require greater access to financing and fiscal space to support development projects, as well as increased representation and support on the international stage to bridge the development gap.
The Global Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development serves as a significant platform for international dialogue, bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the eradication of poverty in all its forms.
