July 11, 2012
In 2011, the world's population passed the 7-billion mark.
This demographic shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge. It presents a challenge, as developing countries often have limited resources for employment, health, and safety. However, we have the opportunity to reduce the effects of poverty around the world.
Improving the health of mothers, newborns, and children and reducing the number of preventable deaths are priorities for CIDA. Each year, hundreds of thousands of women die during pregnancy or childbirth, and more than 7.6 million children die before reaching the age of five. We can prevent many of these deaths with proven, cost-effective, evidence-based interventions.
Canada is leading a global effort—the Muskoka Initiative—to mobilize global action in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve the health of mothers and children in the world's poorest countries.
Today, on World Population Day, we must recognize that maternal, newborn, and child health plays an essential role in creating a just and equitable world. Canada remains committed to making a real difference in the lives of people in need around the world.
Julian Fantino
Minister of International Cooperation
