New York, 1 October 2022 (TDI): First October is commemorated as the International Day of Older Persons around the world. This year the theme of the day is “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World.”
The NGO Committees on Ageing in New York, Geneva, and Vienna will be commemorating this day with a unique and complementary approach in accordance with the theme.
United Nations International Day of Older Persons’ (UNIDOP) objectives this year include;
- To highlight older women’s resilience in the face of environmental, social, economic, and lifelong inequalities.
- To urge member states, UN entities, UN Women, and civil society to prioritize older women in all policies, ensuring gender equality, as outlined in the Secretary-report, General’s Our Common Agenda.
- To raise awareness of the importance of improved global data collection by age and gender.
Amina J Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) joined the commemoration for the day. In a tweet, she urged to “ensure all of society is aware of the needs and interests of older persons.”
Moreover, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN said “Our task as the global community is to build more inclusive and age-friendly societies.”
He also highlighted that older people are an inspiration for everyone because of their resilience, knowledge & experience.
Historical Background
In accordance with resolution 45/106 passed on December 14, 1990, UN General Assembly proclaimed October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.
This was preceded by programs like the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging, which was approved by the UNGA in 1983 after being adopted by the World Assembly on Aging in 1982.
In 1991, the UNGA established the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. While the Second World Assembly on Ageing established the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging in 2002.
The Plan of Action was aimed to address the opportunities and difficulties presented by the population aging in the twenty-first century and to support the growth of a society for all ages.
