45/106. Implementation of the International Plan of Action on Aging and related activities
The General Assembly,
Recallíng its resolutions 44/67 and 44/76 of 8 December 1989 and reaffirming all of their relevant provisions, particularly those which endorsed the priorities set and the recommendations made by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1989/50 of 24 May 1989,
Noting that the Economic and Social Council recommended in its resolution 1989/50 the convening of an ad hoc working group of the Commission for Social Development at the Commissíon's thirty-second session to monitor preparatory activities for the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the International Plan of Action on Aging,
Noting with concern that, although in its resolution 43/93 of 8 December 1988 it recommended that aging should be considered a priority theme in the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997, the resources assigned to subprogramme 7 (Aging) of section 8 (Activities on global social development issues) in the programme budget for the biennium 1990-199165 for the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat are not sufficient to implement the programme adequately and to give it the priority recommended,
Also noting with concern that the contributions of the United Nations Trust Fund for Aging have steadily declined since 1982, thereby reducing its resource base, and that unless this trend is reversed and the Fund strengthened, many priority requests will not be met and the implementation of the Plan of Action will be weakened where it is most needed, in developing countries,
Recognizing that the elderly are an asset lo society and can contribute significantly to the development process,
Mindful of the need for innovative and effective international co-operation in the field of aging if countries are to achieve self-reliance in responding to the aging of their populations,
Recognizing also the complexity and rapidity of the aging of the world's population and the need to have a common basis and frame of reference for the protection and promotion of the rights of the elderly, including the contribution that the elderly can and should make lo society,
Recalling the establishment at Dakar in 1989 of the African Society of Gerontology,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the qucstion of aging,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the question of aging;
2. Endorses the action programme on aging for 1992 and beyond as outlined in the report of the Secretary-General;
3. Urges Member States, the organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to participate in the action programme on aging for 1992 and beyond, especially in selecting targets in the ficld of aging, in organizing community-wide activities and in launching an iníorrnation and fund-raising campaign to celebrare the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the International Plan of Action on Aging at the local, national, regional and global levels;
4. Endorses the rccommendation of the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1989/50 that an ad hoe working group of the Commission for Social Development be convened at the Cornrnission's thirty-second session, in 1991, to monitor the activities for the tenth anniversary, especially the launching of a global information campaign, and the selection of targets that might form the basis of the third review and appraisal of the Plan of Action lo be made by the Commission al its thirty-third session, in 1993;
5. Invites Member States, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations lo consider innovative and effective ways of co-operating on the selection of targets in the field of aging during 1991 and 1992;
6. Recommends that the Commission for Social Development give consideration to the desirability of convening, subject to the availability of funds, regional and sectoral meetings on thc selection of targets in the ficld of aging during 1991 and 1992 and global consultations in 1993 and 1997, to coincide with the third and fourth quadrennial reviews and appraisals of the implementation of the Plan of Action;
7. Notes with appreciation the work of the recent ad hoc inter-agency meetings on aging and recommends that inter-agency meetings on aging be convened biennially;
8. Welcomes with appreciation the rapid progress made by the International Institute on Aging, in Malta, in establishing, in close collaboration and co-operation with the United Nations system, as well as with governmental and non-governmental institutions and organízations, programmes that promote in a practical manner the implementation of the Plan of Action, particularly through curriculum development, training courses, a global survey on training and the establishment of an information network, and requests the Secretary-General, in reporting on the question of aging to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session, to inform the Assembly of the activities of the Institute;
9. Takes note with satisfaction of the plans for the establishment of training institutes on aging in Argentina and Yugoslavia and in Central America and the Caribbean;
10. Requests the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat to provide, within existing resources, technical assistance to the African Society of Gerontology;
11. Welcomes global fund-raising initiatives for activities in the field of aging, particularly the proposed establishment in 1991 of an independent foundation on aging under the patronage of the United Nations, to be called the Banyan Foundation, the main goal of which will be to empower the elderly in all world regions to maintain maximum independence and the ability to contribute to society in the context of the Plan of Action, thus serving as a much needed international fund raising vehicle for programmes for the aging worldwide;
12. Requests the Commission on the Status of Women to consider under the priority theme "development" the positive contributions and specific roles of elderly women in the development of their societies;
13. Notes with appreciation the support given by the United Nations Population Fund to the Aging Unit of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, and urges the Fund to maintain this commitment;
14. Notes with satisfaction the close collaboration of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, as the United Nations focal point on aging, with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations active in the field of aging, and encourages the Centre to continue to strengthen this collaboration;
15. Designates 1 October as International Day for the Elderly;
16. Urges Governments and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the Trust Fund for Aging;
17. Also urges Governments and non-governmental organizations to contribute human and financial resources through the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs for the co-ordination and implementation of the action programme on aging for 1992 and heyond;
18. Urges the Secretary-General to consider increasing the human and financial resources of the Aging Unit of the Centre far Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs in arder to enable it to fulfil its mandate as the United Nations focal point on aging;
19. Requests the Secretary-General to repart to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session on the implementation of the present resolution;
20. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-sixth session the item entitled "Question of aging".
68th plenary meeting
14 December 1990
The theme this year is: "Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons: Towards a Society for All Ages".
Secretary-General SG/SM/12500 OBV/812
Amid Global Crises, It’s Even More Important to Treat Older Persons as Agents, Beneficiaries of Development, Secretary-General Says in Message for Day
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the International Day of Older Persons -- “Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons: Towards a Society for All Ages” -- to be observed on 1 October:
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons.
Over the past decade, we intensified our efforts to build a “society for all ages” and to promote international commitment to the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. The Principles are founded on the need to build an inclusive society that emphasizes participation, self-fulfilment, independence, care and dignity for all. To transform them into deeds, we have campaigned for policies that will enable older persons to live in an environment that enhances their capabilities, fosters their independence and provides them with adequate support and care as they age.
The motto “towards a society for all ages” was adopted in 1999 and reaffirmed at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, held in Madrid in 2002. It emphasizes the need to treat older persons as both agents and beneficiaries of development. This emphasis -- and the United Nations Principles -- take on even greater importance as the world struggles to confront global food, energy, climate, financial and economic crises.
The international community is also devoting increasing attention to the human rights of older persons. We must put an end to age discrimination, abuse, neglect and violence against older persons. I urge States to put the necessary legal protections in place, and I urge all partners to help countries develop the capacity and institutions to achieve this objective.
On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to the vital work of upholding the United Nations Principles for Older Persons and achieving a society for all ages.
AARP Statement on the Occasion of the 2009 UN International Day of Older Persons
As we pause to celebrate the nineteenth annual International Day of Older Persons, we also stop to reflect on the changing world we live in and the challenges that lie ahead. Our world has changed dramatically in the ten years since the International Year of Older Persons in 1999. As of 2008, 62 percent (313 million) of the world's people aged 65 and older lived in developing countries. By 2040, today's developing countries will be home to more than one billion people 65+, 76 percent of the projected world total. Moreover, people 80+, are the fastest growing portion of the population in many countries, including the United States.
The aging of the world's population is the transformational issue of our time. As people get older, they want and need many of the same things, regardless of where they live. They want health and financial security. And they want options for living their lives. They want to be included in their societies and to be able to enjoy the opportunities that life has to offer. So, we must ask ourselves:
* How will we address aging populations?
* How will we ensure long-term health care and economic security for so many?
* How will we ensure dignity and independence as we age? How will we do all of this without burdening future generations with the costs?
* How will we use our knowledge and experience to create a better world for our kids, grandkids and great-grandkids?
* In short, how will we create a world where people in all societies can age with dignity and purpose?
AARP, as the world's largest organization dedicated to the interests of older citizens, is committed to using our experience, knowledge and resources to work with other countries to address these global aging issues. We will do this:
* By listening and learning-sharing our ideas with other countries and learning from their experiences. As I have worked internationally throughout my career, I've always been impressed with how other countries apply best practices within their cultures. It's one thing to understand what the best practices are; it's quite another to migrate and adapt them effectively into unique cultures and understand why they work in one culture and may or may not in another.
* Through collaboration-by reaching beyond our borders to engage leaders of other countries to address policy challenges and help find solutions, by developing and nurturing partnerships to address common goals.
* Through inclusion-reaching out and addressing the needs of those who are often left behind.
* And, through our voice-by being a strong advocate for global aging issues and for creating a society for all ages that would enable the generations to invest in one another and share in the fruits of that investment, guided by the twin principles of reciprocity and equity as called for by the United Nations.
We're at a pivotal time in our history. The global economic recession we are experiencing this year is giving us a glimpse of what it would be like if we have to redefine our dreams. Nobody wants that. People are hurting. We see more people struggling to get by. We see people losing the jobs, their homes, their retirement nest egg, and their health care. The gap between the haves and the have nots is growing, as it has for the past 25 years. This is a challenge too great to ignore, not just in the United States, but throughout the world.
It has been said that reducing inequity is the highest human achievement. In a world where older people will outnumber children for the first time in history by 2050, this is also our greatest challenge, and reducing that inequity is our shared international imperative.
On this International Day of Older Persons, let us dedicate ourselves to addressing the challenges that lie ahead and to working together to create a society for all ages.
Fuentes:
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/564/95/IMG/NR056495.pdf?OpenElement
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/un_meetings.html
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sgsm12500.doc.htm
http://www.aarpinternational.org/resourcelibrary/resourcelibrary_show.htm?doc_id=1040247