Progress is slow, however, as illustrated by the difficulties in reaching consensus even in areas such as transparency and notifications. Financial and technical assistance, as well as technology transfer (Target 14.a), will be important to many SIDS and LDCs as they look to create and implement national and regional strategies for sustainability, preservation and protection of their fisheries industries. These interlinked goals provide a new framework for advancing sustainable development over the next 15 years. Today, the global population is about 7.3 billion, a figure projected to reach about 8.5 billion by 2035 (UNDESA, 2011). Some 2 billion more people will populate the earth in 20 years from now.