World Population Day being observed

World Population Day today (Friday). The day is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe with a call to prioritise youth in development plans, strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations, and involve young people in all decisions that affect them. The theme of this year’s day is ‘Investing in Young People’. According to the UN, there are 1.8 billion young people in the world who are shaping social and economic realities, challenging norms and values, and building the foundation of the world’s future. Yet too many young people continue to grapple with poverty, inequality and human rights violations that prevent them from reaching their personal and collective potential. In Bangladesh, different organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including rally and discussion, to mark the day. Health Minister Mohammad Nasim will inaugurate the progammes at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion, according to a news agency.