In 2010, the number of people aged 65 years and above reached 174.5 million and accounted for 14.1% of the total population in the region covered by the UNECE, comprising North America, the EU, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This proportion is expected to exceed 20% by 2030. The proportions of the older old are also set to rise: on average from 3.7% in 2010 to 5.2% in 2030 and more than 7% in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.
To address these demographic challenges, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) was adopted as the guiding policy document in the United Nations Framework in 2002. In the same year, UNECE member states devised a Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS) to this plan, containing 10 commitments in diverse areas such as the economy, health, social protection, education, gender and intergenerational relationships.
In the second review and appraisal of MIPAA/RIS implementation completed in 2012, member states were asked to identify key challenges and opportunities. Based on these, the priorities for the third regional implementation cycle (2013-2017) were adopted.
Dr Viviane Brunne presentation will provide a brief overview of the MIPAA/RIS policy agenda and the institutional framework of the UNECE Working Group on Ageing, an intergovernmental body that drives and monitors implementation. The main challenges and opportunities of the third regional implementation cycle – and the resulting priorities – will be briefly introduced. Some insights will be presented from UNECE’s two most recent policy briefs, covering both challenges (abuse of older persons) and opportunities (active ageing) related to population ageing.
Following Dr Brunne’s presentation, participants will be invited to share their own insights on the challenges and opportunities of ageing as well as best practices in Singapore and the Asian region. The aim is to bring together strategies and good practices from Europe and Asia for mutual learning, while also pointing to the differences and cultural specificities.