Welcome to the United Nations
The 2030 Agenda sets out a universal plan of action that seeks to eradicate poverty as its overarching goal. It envisions shared prosperity and respect for the human rights of all people. It calls for ensuring that no one is left behind and that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are met for all segments of society, at all ages, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable—including older persons.
Population ageing is a major global trend that affects all countries and reflects significant achievements of human development such as improved health, greater longevity and lower mortality (UN 2017). In 2017, there are an estimated 962 million people aged 60 or over, comprising 13 percent of the global population, and this number is projected to reach 1.4 billion in 2030 (UNDESA 2017). Over the next 15 years, the number of older persons is expected to grow fastest in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a projected 71 per cent increase in the population aged 60 or over, followed by Asia (66 per cent), Africa (64 per cent), Oceania (47 per cent), Northern America (41 per cent) and Europe (23 per cent) (UNDESA 2015).
At the same time, what matters is not only the numbers but also the diversity of older persons in terms of their needs, capabilities and experiences that are shaped by their age, gender, health, education, income, family status and other factors.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations in New York, UNDP, UNDESA, HelpAge International, along with other partners in the UN system and civil society, are convening a special event on "Making Sustainable Development Work at All Ages: Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity for Older Persons" during the 2017 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) on 14 July 18.15-19.30 in conference room 6, UN Headquarters in New York.
The meeting will focus attention on the issues of ageing, poverty and prosperity in the context of the 2030 Agenda. Participants will discuss existing evidence related to the situation of older persons in different regions, countries and local settings, and across a range of SDGs. The discussion will also explore ways to more effectively work together to enhance and mainstream ageing issues in support of SDG implementation, promote the rights of older persons and develop sustainable partnerships, while building on good practices and supporting better collection of age-disaggregated data.
