Latest figures show 43.7 million took part in global UN anti-poverty event

Over 43.7 million people took part in last week’s record-breaking United Nations campaign to “Stand Up Against Poverty,” a spokesperson for the world body announced today.

Citing figures from organizers, Marie Okabe said the event set a Guinness World Record as people from around the globe participated in a bid to push international leaders to deliver on their pledge to end extreme poverty by 2015.

More than 6,000 events were held in 110 countries during the 24-hour period from 16 to 17 October as part of the global campaign, which was led by the UN Millennium Campaign, an inter-agency initiative, in partnership with the Global Call to Action and a range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based groups and civil society.

During the 17 October event, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all people to join their voices in support of the cause. “Let us all stand up. Let us demonstrate the political will required to end the scourge of poverty once and for all,” he said.