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Report of the Second World Assembly on Ageing
Madrid, 8-12 April 2002
United Nations
New York, 2002
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Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002
III. Implementation and follow-up
114. The implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 will require sustained action at all levels in order to both respond to the demographic changes ahead and to mobilize the skills and energies of older persons. It will require systematic evaluation to respond to new challenges. In addition there is a critical and continuing need for international assistance to help developing countries to pursue policies that address ageing.
115. The implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 also requires, inter alia, a political, economic, ethical and spiritual vision for social development of older persons based on human dignity, human rights, equality, respect, peace, democracy, mutual responsibility and cooperation and full respect for the various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of people.
National action
116. Governments have the primary responsibility for implementing the broad recommendations of the International Plan of Action, 2002. A necessary first step in the successful implementation of the Plan is to mainstream ageing and the concerns of older persons into national development frameworks and poverty eradication strategies. Programme innovation, mobilization of financial resources and the development of necessary human resources will be undertaken simultaneously. Accordingly, progress in the implementation of the Plan should be contingent upon effective partnership between Governments, all parts of civil society and the private sector as well as an enabling environment based, inter alia, on democracy, the rule of law, respect for all human rights, fundamental freedoms and good governance at all levels, including national and international levels.
117. The role of non-governmental organizations is important in supporting Governments in their implementation, assessment and follow-up of the International Plan of Action, 2002.
118. Efforts should be made to promote institutional follow-up to the International Plan of Action, including, as appropriate, the establishment of agencies on ageing and national committees. National committees on ageing that include representatives of relevant sectors of civil society, especially organizations of older persons, can make very valuable contributions and can serve as national advisory and coordinating mechanisms on ageing.
119. Other crucial elements of implementation include: effective organizations of older persons; educational, training and research activities on ageing; and national data collection and analysis, such as the compilation of gender and age specific information for policy planning, monitoring and evaluation. Independent, impartial monitoring of progress in implementation is also valuable and can be conducted by autonomous institutions. Governments, as well as civil society, can facilitate the mobilization of resources by organizations representing and supporting older persons by increasing incentives.
International action
120. We recognize that globalization and interdependence are opening new opportunities through trade, investment and capital flows and advances in technology, including information technology, for the growth of the world economy and the development and improvement of living standards around the world. At the same time, there remain serious challenges, including serious financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion and inequality within and among societies. Considerable obstacles to further integration and full participation in the global economy remain for developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, as well as for some countries with economies in transition. Unless the benefits of social and economic development are extended to all countries, a growing number of people in all countries and even entire regions will remain marginalized from the global economy. We must act now in order to overcome those obstacles affecting peoples and countries and to realize the full potential of opportunities presented for the benefit of all.
121. Globalization offers opportunities and challenges. The developing countries and countries with economies in transition face special difficulties in responding to those challenges and opportunities. Globalization should be fully inclusive and equitable, and there is a strong need for policies and measures at the national and international levels, formulated and implemented with the full and effective participation of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to help them respond effectively to those challenges and opportunities.
122. In order to complement national development efforts, enhanced international cooperation is essential to support developing countries, least developed countries and countries with economies in transition in implementing the International Plan of Action, 2002, while recognizing the importance of assistance and the provision of financial assistance, inter alia, by:
- Recognizing the urgent need to enhance coherence, governance and consistency in the international monetary, financial and trading systems. To contribute to that end, we underline the importance of continuing to improve global economic governance and to strengthen the United Nations leadership role in promoting development. With the same purpose, efforts should be strengthened at the national level to enhance coordination among all relevant ministries and institutions. Similarly, we should encourage policy and programme coordination of international institutions and coherence at the operational and international levels to meet the Millennium Declaration development goals of sustained economic growth, poverty eradication and sustainable development.
- Noting the important efforts under way to reform the international financial architecture, which need to be sustained with greater transparency, and the effective participation of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. One major objective of the reform is to enhance financing for development and poverty eradication. We also underscore our commitment to sound domestic financial sectors, which make a vital contribution to national development efforts as an important component of an international financial architecture that is supportive of development.
- Calling for speedy and concerted action to address effectively debt problems of least developed countries, low-income developing countries and middle-income developing countries in a comprehensive, equitable developmentoriented and durable way through various national and international measures designed to make their debt sustainable in the long term, including, as appropriate, existing orderly mechanisms for debt reduction such as debt swaps for projects.
- Recognizing that a substantial increase in official development assistance and other resources will be required if developing countries are to achieve the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration.
We urge developed countries that have not done so to make concrete efforts towards the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product (GNP) as official development assistance to developing countries and 0.15 per cent of GNP of developed countries to least developed countries and encourage developing countries to build on progress achieved in ensuring that official development assistance is used effectively to help achieve development goals and targets.
123. Enhanced and focused international cooperation and an effective commitment by developed countries and international development agencies will enhance and enable the implementation of the International Plan of Action. International financial institutions and regional development banks are invited to examine and adjust their lending and grants practices to ensure that older persons are recognized as a development resource and are taken into account in their policies and projects as part of efforts to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in the implementation of the International Plan of Action, 2002.
124. Similarly, commitment by United Nations funds and programmes to ensure integration of the question of ageing in their programmes and projects, including at country level, is important. Support by the international community and international development agencies for organizations that specifically promote training and capacity-building on ageing in developing countries is extremely important.
125. Other priorities for international cooperation on ageing should include exchange of experiences and best practices, researchers and research findings and data collection to support policy and programme development as appropriate; establishment of income-generating projects; and information dissemination.
126. The United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination should include system-wide implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 in its agenda. The focal points that were set up within the United Nations system in preparation for the World Assembly on Ageing should be maintained and strengthened. The institutional capacity of the United Nations system to undertake its responsibilities for implementation of the Plan should be improved.
127. As the focal point on ageing in the United Nations system, the primary action of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs programme on ageing will be to facilitate and promote the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002, including: designing guidelines for policy development and implementation; advocating means to mainstream ageing issues into development agendas; engaging in dialogue with civil society and the private sector; and information exchange.
128. The United Nations regional commissions have responsibility for translating the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002, into their regional action plans. They should also assist, upon request, national institutions in implementation and monitoring of their actions on ageing. The Economic and Social Council could strengthen the capacity of the regional commissions in this respect. Regional nongovernmental organizations should be supported in their efforts to develop networks to promote the International Plan of Action.
Research
129. There is a need to encourage and advance comprehensive, diversified and specialized research on ageing in all countries, particularly in developing countries. Research, including age and gender-sensitive data collection and analysis, provides essential evidence for effective policies. A principal task of the research component of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002, is to facilitate, as appropriate, the implementation of the recommendations and actions defined in the International Plan of Action. The availability of reliable information is indispensable in identifying emerging issues and adopting recommendations. Elaborating and using, as appropriate, comprehensive and practical tools for evaluation, such as key indicators, is also necessary to facilitate a timely policy response.
130. International research on ageing is also needed to support policy responses to ageing and to the operational success of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. This would assist in promoting international coordination of research on ageing.
Global monitoring, review and updating
131. Systematic review of implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 by Member States is essential for its success in improving the quality of life of older persons. Governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders, can decide on appropriate review arrangements. Sharing of the outcomes of regular review among Member States would be valuable.
132. The Commission for Social Development will be responsible for follow-up and appraisal of the implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. The Commission should integrate the different dimensions of population ageing as contained in the International Plan of Action in its work. Reviews and appraisals will be critical for effective follow-up to the Assembly and their modalities should be decided as soon as possible.
1 See Report of the World Assembly on Ageing, Vienna, 26 July to 6 August 1982 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.82.I.16), chap. VI, sect. A.
2 General Assembly resolution 46/91, annex.
3 Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.8), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
4 Ibid., annex II.
5 See General Assembly resolution S-24/2, annex.
6 WHO/HPR/HEP/95.1.
7 Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
8 The definition of palliative care, based on the World Health Organization, is active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment, namely by controlling pain and other symptoms of the disease and offering psychological, social and spiritual support to patients and their families.
9 General Assembly resolution S-26/2, annex.
10 General Assembly resolution 55/2.
Adopted at the 10th plenary meeting of the Second World Assembly on Ageing, on 12 April 2002; Resolution 1
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