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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.
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, convened 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, UN Headquarters in New York.
This event focused on the importance of promoting the rights of older persons and adopting a life-course approach to ageing, which was emphasized as critical in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda and fulfil its pledge to leave no one behind. Panelists discussed existing evidence related to challenges and opportunities for older persons in Europe (Finland), Latin America (Argentina) and Africa (Nigeria), as well as globally, and explored ways to enhance and mainstream ageing issues in support of SDG implementation.
The panel discussion was moderated by Ms Rosemary Kalapurakal (Lead Advisor, 2030 Agenda, UNDP) who pointed to the 2030 Agenda as a good framework for entry points on ageing and underscored the significant role of partnerships in taking the ageing work forward.
Ms Daniela Bas (Director, Division for Social Policy and Development, UNDESA) recalled that the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing marked for the first time the interlinkage between ageing, social and economic development, and human rights. She also shared some of the recent data on population ageing which is one of the megatrends that will condition the prospects of achieving the SDGs. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in raising the profile and integrating ageing issues into work programmes in the context of leaving no one behind within the 2030 Agenda.
Ms Eppu Mikkonen-Jeanneret (Senior Adviser for Global Social Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland) provided insights into ageing issues in Finland by sharing national experiences on the provision of income support (including through labour market policies, social care, parenting policies and a pilot programme on basic income), technologies such as e-governance and online services, and mental health as well as participation of older persons.
Mr Ariel Gonzalez Serafini (First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations) stressed the role of Argentina as a champion of protecting the rights of older persons and underlined the need to look at older persons as agents of change. For this it is necessary to revisit the human rights system and address structural conditions that currently frame older persons as passive subjects. He further pointed out that it is essential to develop and enforce mechanisms for promoting the rights of older persons, to provide universal social protection programmes and to invest in data disaggregated specifically by older persons.
Mr Justin Derbyshire (CEO, HelpAge International) showed a video on a life-course approach to ageing prepared in partnership with UNDP that views life as a journey with many different stages, none of which can be seen in isolation from each other. He highlighted the diversity of ageing population and various dimensions of poverty in old age, including challenges in earning income, pensions, health coverage and autonomy. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of confronting ageism and need to develop a new narrative on ageing with a life course as a key resource to realize the 2030 Agenda.
Ms Emem Omokaro (Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, Nigeria) shared data on demographic trends and the situation of older persons in Nigeria, as well as ongoing initiatives to support older persons. She indicated that older persons continue to experience inequality and discrimination in accessing healthcare, social protection and finance; along with violence, neglect and abuse that are often based on cultural practices and stereotypes. She pointed out that widowhood, childlessness and disability are among major risks factors that reinforce the exclusion and multidimensional poverty of older persons. Despite some positive legislative and institutional changes in Nigeria, older persons and older women in particular continue to be neglected in the development process. She recommended building technical capacity including on data, formulating policies on ageing, while integrating it into national budget, and mainstreaming ageing into all sector plans.
The event also saw a launch of a new issues brief entitled “Ageing, Older Persons and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” that was prepared in collaboration between UNDP with inputs by several UN agencies (UNDESA, UNFPA, UN Women, UNRISD, WHO, ILO, UNDOCO and UN-Habitat) and key civil society partners such as HelpAge International and AARP. The brief acknowledges the importance of a life-course approach to ageing and calls for protecting and promoting the rights of older persons in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The event was attended by around 60 people and received positive feedback from all participants.
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Source: UNDP and UNDESA