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The General Assembly adopts resolution (A/RES/79/147) on Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing
The General Assembly adopted resolution 79/147 without a vote on Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing on 17 December 2024. The resolution contains new text focusing on strengthening intergenerational solidarity, which were inspired by the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary General entitled “Follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons: Second World Assembly on Ageing” (A/79/157). The text encourages Member States to adopt policies promoting social cohesion and influencing an individual’s life course through the transfer of experience, knowledge, values, traditions, and resources, through mutual support. It also recognizes the contributions of older persons when addressing global challenges, inter alia, in climate action, disaster risk reduction, technology and innovation, and the importance of intergenerational solidarity in sustainable development efforts. Furthermore, it calls upon Member States to promote intergenerational knowledge transfer in the workplace to harness the potential of different generations and better adapt to changes in labour markets. It acknowledges that the opportunity for future generations to thrive in prosperity and achieve sustainable development must be ensured, including by eliminating the intergenerational transmission of poverty and hunger, inequality, and injustice. Member States also decided to formally conclude the mandate of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, noting with appreciation the completed work of the Working Group, and acknowledged the contributions of Member States, United Nations bodies, and other stakeholders during its 14 working sessions.
Resolution on Considerations of decision 14/1 of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing entitled “Recommendations regarding the identification of possible gaps in the protection of the human rights of older persons and how best to address them” adopted by the General Assembly on 13 August 2024
In further consideration of decision 14/1 of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, entitled “Recommendations regarding the identification of possible gaps in the protection of the human rights of older persons and how best to address them” the General Assembly adopted on the 13 August 2024 resolution A/RES/78/324 which decided that the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing has completed its work, in view of the adoption of decision 14/1 by the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing in line with its mandate outlined in the resolution 65/182 and all subsequent resolutions on the follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing, including 78/177 of 19 December 2023. For more information, please visit this link.
Mark Your Calendars
63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63), 10-14 February 2025
The 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63) will take place from 10 to 14 February 2025, under the priority theme “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The Commission will be held in Conference Room 4 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. For more information, follow the link here.
The 56th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, 4-7 March 2025
The 56th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission will be held in New York from 4 to 7 March 2025. For more information, follow the link here.
The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69/ Beijing+30), 10-21 March 2025
The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 to 21 March 2025. The main focus of the sixty-ninth session will be on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The review will include an assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to attend the session. For more information follow the link here.
The 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development, 7-11 April 2025
The special theme of the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) will take place in April 2025, under the theme “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”. As part of the substantive preparations for the annual session, the Population Division of UN DESA convened an expert group meeting on 16 and 17 October 2024 to discuss the special theme with the aim to review the latest evidence and analyses in relation to the theme, drawing from the experience of countries in all regions. For more information, follow the link here.
Stay Informed
Report of the Secretary-General on the Modalities for the fifth review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
The report (E.CN.5/2025/5) is submitted pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2023/15. It provides an overview of the modalities of the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. The report also provides an update on the follow-up to the outcomes of the fourth review and appraisal process. It concludes with a proposed timeline for the fifth review and appraisal cycle, and recommendations for consideration by the Commission.
The report emphasizes the importance of adopting a bottom-up participatory approach that would allow Member States to benefit from carefully considered assessments of the extent to which the objectives of the Madrid Plan of Action are being achieved at the local, national and regional levels. The report also notes that the year 2027 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Second World Assembly on Ageing, presenting an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to the Political Declaration and the Madrid Plan of Action.
The report provides recommendations on the modalities of the fifth review and appraisal, including the endorsement of the proposed timeline, urging Member States to leverage the outcomes to strengthen and advance efforts towards a society for all ages.
Report of the Secretary-General on Intergenerational Solidarity
The report of the Secretary-General to the 79th session of the General Assembly (A/79/157) was submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 78/177 on the follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing. It provides an overview of the application of the concept of intergenerational solidarity across public policy domains, highlighting opportunities and challenges for current and future generations of older persons. The report covers selected work carried out by members of the Inter-Agency Group on Ageing. Key recommendations for consideration by Member States are set out in the concluding section. For more information, please visit this link.
DESA’s Flagship World Social Report 2024 Spotlights Social Development in Times of Converging Crises: A Call for Global Action
According to the World Social Report 2024, urgent global action is needed to support national efforts to address the setbacks caused by the recent global crises, and to avoid the conversion of future shocks to crises. Titled “Social Development in Times of Converging Crises: A Call for Global Action”, the World Social Report 2024 explains that, in our current global policy environment, shocks more readily turn into crises that cross boundaries, demanding international action. Download the full report here.
UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development 2024
The Disability and Development Report 2024, “Accelerating the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals by, for and with persons with disabilities”, is an update of the 2018 edition of the same flagship report, produced in response to a request by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 75/154 of 23 December 2020. The report indicates that persons with disabilities are often left behind in the efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with wide gaps persisting between persons with and without disabilities, particularly on food security, health, and access to energy and ICT. Considering COVID-19, the report assesses the different ways the pandemic impacted progress towards achieving these goals and identifies concrete steps forward that is inclusive for all. For more information, please visit this link.
DESA Population Division: World Population Prospects 2024
The World Population Prospects 2024 is the twenty-eighth edition of the official United Nations population estimates and projections. It presents population estimates from the 1950s to the present for 237 countries or areas, underpinned by analyses of historical demographic trends. The 2024 revision also presents population projections to the year 2100 that reflect a range of plausible outcomes at the global, regional and national levels. For more information, please visit this link.
Missed an Event?
DESA, INIA, and DOF Unite to Advance Ageing Policies in Africa, 11 December 2024
In building momentum for the Second World Summit for Social Development, the DESA Programme on Ageing in collaboration with the International Institute on Ageing INIA (United Nations - Malta) and DOF in Nigeria, organized an event on “Advancing Ageing Policy Formulation and Action Plan in Africa.” The event is sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Malta and Nigeria to the United Nations in New York and was held on 11 December 2024. For more information, please visit this link.
Partnering for Progress: Global Population Ageing, the SDGs, and the Silver Economy in the Decade of Healthy Ageing: A Collaborative Approach between Member States, the United Nations and the Private Sector, 3 December 2024
The event was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN in partnership with the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), the American Council on Germany, and DESA Programme on Ageing. It aimed to build on outcomes from the Silver Economy Forum 2024 held earlier this year in Berlin. The multi-stakeholder event brought together Member States, the private sector, NGOs, global institutions, and academia. The event helped explore strategies to connect private and public sector initiatives to advance the SDGs in the context of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing. For more information, please visit this link.
Informal Briefing by the Co-Facilitators for Stakeholders on the Preparatory Process Leading to the Second World Summit for Social Development, 25 November 2024
An informal briefing for stakeholders on the preparations for the “World Social Summit” in 2025 under the title “the Second World Summit on Social Development” was convened by H.E. Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations, in their capacity as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process leading up to the Summit. Representatives of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, as well as representatives of other relevant non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector with attended the informal briefing which was held in New York. Watch the event here.
United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) 2024
The 34th commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons focused on the theme of "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide". The 2024 event held in New York, brought together experts to discuss policies, legislation, and practices that strengthen care and support systems for older persons. It highlighted the urgent need to expand training and educational opportunities in geriatrics and gerontology, address the global shortage of care workers, and recognize the diverse contributions of caregivers. Read the Secretary-General statement delivered at the commemoration of the event here. To purchase UN Commemorative Stamps for the Day, click here. For additional information on the Day in New York, as well as commemorative events in Geneva and Vienna, click here.
Summit of the Future, 22-23 September 2024
The Summit brought together over 4,000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, intergovernmental organizations, UN System, civil society, and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of $1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion. World leaders adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. For more information read here.
- The Universal Postal Union delivers a statement on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing, 23 September 2024: At the Summit of the Future, the UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing (IAGA), represented by the Universal Postal Union, urged world leaders to recognize the crucial role older persons play in global development. With population ageing accelerating globally, especially in developing countries, the Group urged for inclusive, age-responsive policies. IAGA members expressed concern over the lack of recognition of older persons in global frameworks like the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. The Group called for a rights-based, life-course approach to ensure older persons are integral to shaping a sustainable and equitable future. Read the statement here. Watch the video here.
- Action Day Event: Building a future for all ages: Intergenerational solidarity for inclusive, just, and sustainable societies, 19 September 2024: The virtual side event, held during the Action Days featured an intergenerational roundtable which presented practical examples on how intergenerational practice can be applied across the Summit of the Future’s deliberations and themes. The event featured an intergenerational roundtable presenting practical examples on how intergenerational practice can be applied across the Summit of the Future’s deliberations and themes. The event was sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Portugal and the Philippines. . For more information about the event, click here.
- Action Day Event: Life Course Approach and Intergenerational Health: Discussing a WHO Framework on Operationalizing a Life Course Approach, 21 September 2024: Considering the growing evidence on the importance of adopting a life course and intergenerational approach to health, WHO, DESA, UNFPA and HelpAge International organized an event to present the WHO framework on the operationalization of a life course approach and raise awareness of the role of using the intergenerational approach for implementation. The event was sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Japan, Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone. For more information about the event, click here.
- Action Day Event: Joint Regional Commissions Side Event on “Towards A Society For All Ages: Building Solidarity and Equity Across Generations,” 21 September 2024: The event was held under the broad umbrella of intergenerational solidarity and equity, and drew on the insights and recommendations from the Regional Commissions’ joint policy brief on this topic distributed at the event, focusing on cutting edge policy thinking on the impact of current demographic trends, including on population ageing, labour market, quality of employment, and access to social protection, care policies and services. The event was sponsored by Chile.
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