ESCAP ADOPTS DECLARATION AND PLAN OF ACTION ON AGEING ISSUES
Press Release
REC/29
SOC/4476
ESCAP ADOPTS DECLARATION AND PLAN OF ACTION ON AGEING ISSUES
19981001 Member and associate member nations of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today adopted the Macau Declaration and Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific, aimed at addressing ageing issues in the region.The Regional Meeting on a Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific was organized by ESCAP in collaboration with the Government of Macau from 28 September to 1 October. Over 45 delegates and observers representing governments, non-governmental and other organizations attended the meeting.
The adoption coincided with the eve of a launch of the 1999 International Year of Older Persons on 1 October -- the International Day of Older Persons -- by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
In her closing remarks at the Regional Meeting in Macau, Kayoko Mizuta, ESCAP's Deputy Executive Secretary, said: with the adoption of the new Declaration and Plan of Action, Asia and the Pacific had become pioneers in facing the challenges posed by rapid population ageing. She said that the tasks facing the governments now were to set attainable goals and targets in accordance with the Plan of Action and to translate them into reality in their respective countries.
The Deputy Executive Secretary further said that ESCAP looked forward to working closely with all the governments, non-governmental organizations and other entities for the full and early implementation of the Plan of Action, the commemoration of the International Year of Older Persons and for the betterment of the life of older persons and their societies.
The major areas of concern outlined in the Macau Declaration and Plan of Action relate to ageing and older persons, including: the social position of older persons; older persons and the family; health and nutrition; housing; older persons and the market; income security; maintenance and employment; and social services and the community. The Plan of Action also discussed structures and processes for its implementation, including: the re-examination of the national infrastructure for ageing and older persons; intersectoral collaboration and support; coordination and monitoring; resource mobilization and allocation; and regional and international cooperation.
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