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Video for World Assemblies on Ageing

Conferences | Ageing

BACKGROUND

The UN General Assembly, in 1978, decided to address issues relating to the aging of individuals and the population, and organized, in 1982, a World Assembly in Vienna, Austria. At this first World Assembly on Ageing, participants adopted the , which inspired reflection and action on aging for the next twenty years. The action plan recommended a number of initiatives in different areas, such as employment and livelihood security, health, housing, education, social protection. Twenty years later, in 2002, with the world struggling with an aging population, a Second World Assembly on Aging was convened in Madrid, Spain, to help states and societies develop policies that guarantee older people that they can continue to make a substantial contribution to society to the best of their ability.

SUGGESTED ACTIONS

In May 2002, the Second World Assembly on Aging noted that special attention should be given to::

  • concrete steps countries needed to take to tackle issues related to the aging process;
  • the relationship between aging and development, with particular attention to be given to developing countries;
  • measures to incorporate aging issues into development agendas around the world;
  • partnerships between the public and private sectors, particularly involving non-governmental organizations, with a view to building a society for all ages;
  • measures aimed at strengthening solidarity between generations.

PRIORITIES

The International Year of Action of 1982 was followed by the and the Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted in April 2002. These documents marked a shift in the way the entire world approached the challenges it faces in building a society for all ages. The measures recommended by the Madrid action plan of 2002 revolved around three priorities:

  • Priority 1 : The elderly and development;
  • Priority 2 : Promotion of the health and well-being of the elderly;
  • Priority 3 : Creating a supportive environment for the elderly.

Ongoing Assessments

In order to improve the quality of life of older people, the Madrid International Plan of Action is reviewed and evaluated every five years. This assessment involves the participation of civil society and older people themselves. This innovative process gives Member States feedback on policies and programs implemented. 

Following the review and assessment at the national level, UN regional commissions coordinate the consolidation of information at the regional level. The review and assessment processes are concluded by a comprehensive review with the Commission for Social Development. The first three review and assessment processes were completed at the , and of the Commission.

According to the , published by the 51勛圖 Population Fund (UNFPA), by 2050 one in six people in the world will be over 65 (16%), compared to one in 11 in 2019 (9%). In 2018, for the first time in history, people aged 65 and over across the world outnumbered children under five. The number of people aged 80 and over is expected to triple, from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050.