AGEING

The world is in the midst of a unique and irreversible
process of demographic transition that will result in
older populations everywhere. As fertility rates decline,
the proportion of persons aged 60 and over is expected
to double between 2007 and 2050, and their actual
number will more than triple, reaching 2 billion by
2050. In most countries, the number of those over 80 is
likely to quadruple to nearly 400 million by then.
Older persons are increasingly seen as contributors to
development, whose abilities to act for the betterment of
themselves and their societies should be woven into
policies and programmes at all levels. Currently, 64 per
cent of all older persons live in the less developed
regions — a number expected to approach 80 per cent
by 2050.
To begin addressing these issues, the General Assembly
convened the first World Assembly on Ageing in 1982,
which produced a 62-point “Vienna International Plan of
Action on Ageing ”. It called for specific action on such
issues as health and nutrition, protecting elderly
consumers, housing and environment, family, social
welfare, income security and employment, education,
and the collection and analysis of research data.
In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United
Nations Principles for Older Persons , enumerating 18
entitlements for older persons — relating to
independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment and
dignity. The following year, the International Conference
on Ageing met to follow-up on the Plan of Action,
adopting a Proclamation on Ageing . Following the
Conference's recommendation, the UN General Assembly
declared 1999 the International Year of Older Persons .
Action on behalf of the ageing continued in 2002, when
the Second World Assembly on Ageing was held in
Madrid. Aiming to design international policy on ageing
for the 21st century, it adopted a Political Declaration
and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing .
The Plan of Action called for changes in attitudes,
policies and practices at all levels to fulfil the enormous
potential of ageing in the twenty-first century. Its
specific reommendations for action give priority to older
persons and development, advancing health and well-
being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive
environments.