United Nations DESA Programme on Ageing

Ageing Photo

In 2002, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and the Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing marked a turning point in how the world addresses the key challenge of “building a society for all ages”.

The primary action of the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) programme on ageing is to facilitate and promote MIPAA including: designing guidelines for policy development and implementation; advocating means to mainstream ageing issues into development agendas; engaging in dialogue with civil society and the private sector; and information exchange.

You can reach us by email at ageing@un.org. Our contact address is available here.

Mission

The Focal Point on Ageing works to:

  • Facilitate and promote the three Priority Directions of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), which are: Older persons and development; Advancing health and well-being into old age; and Ensuring enabling and supportive environments;
  • Enhance awareness of the global situation of older persons and increase recognition of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons;
  • Promote mainstreaming and policy support for ageing issues for the implementation of development agendas, including the 2030 Agenda;
  • Engage in dialogue with civil society, including non-governmental organisations for and of older persons, and the private sector.

The Focal Point on Ageing also provides support and servicing to intergovernmental processes by producing reports on ageing issues and facilitating agreement on ageing resolutions and international standards and norms through the Commission for Social Development, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly.