15–17 June 2022
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) held a Ministerial Conference on Ageing in Rome, Italy, to assess progress made towards promoting active and healthy ageing in the UNECE European Region. By 2050, those aged 65 and over are expected to make up one quarter of the population in the Region, a rise of over 70% over 20 years. This is a dramatic shift in the demographic profile of countries in Europe.
The conference assessed progress made towards the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and its UNECE Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS). 46 ministers from across the UNECE Region attended the conference, representing a diversity of sectors with impacts on ageing, including social affairs, health and finance. Adopted in 2002, the MIPAA and UNECE RIS include a 5-year review, providing countries with a platform to discuss the latest developments across Europe and beyond.
Speaking at the high-level panel for the conference, Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, WHO/Europe, highlighted the work of WHO/Europe, saying, “Raising the profile of healthy ageing is a key component of our European Programme of Work. Older people have been among the hardest hit as a result of COVID-19 and we are committed to inclusive health systems that put older people at the centre of national health planning – ones that allow older people to access services and that protect them from financial hardship. We need to build back better, but we also need to build back fairer.”
Goals for the next 5 years
The conference, the theme of which was ‘Joining forces for solidarity and equal opportunities throughout life,’ had panels discussing the 3 main goals that UNECE Member States have committed to realizing over the next 5 years. These are:
- promoting active and healthy ageing throughout life
- ensuring access to long-term care and support for carers and families
- mainstreaming ageing to advance a society for all ages.
The Ministerial Declaration on Ageing, adopted at the conference by all 56 UNECE Member States, outlines the goals for the 2022–2026 period, reinforcing the need to address key challenges central to the WHO European Programme of Work. These include addressing financial hardship, ensuring access to sustainable health, and combating ageism, social isolation and other issues impacting mental health.
United in action for the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing
WHO/Europe hosted a side event on the Implementation of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), a global collaboration that aims to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live. The side event presented the work of the global coalition, progress made to date, and ways to engage with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, including the Healthy Ageing 50 initiative, a campaign to identify leaders who are transforming the world into a better place to grow older.
The launch of the publication ‘Tackling abuse of older people: 5 priorities for the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing’ coincided with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June. According to the publication, 1 in 6 older people face abuse, and less than 4% of this abuse is reported. The publication outlines key priorities to prevent and respond to these staggering statistics.
As the number of older people increases, and our knowledge of how the built environment can support or hinder longevity and physical and mental health, as well as our overall well-being, it is becoming critical to make conscious approaches that acknowledge the social, political, and economic impact of policies to harness evidence and tools for age-friendly environments across the life-course.
For more information on what WHO/Europe is doing on ageism, visit our Ageing webpage.