According to the World Bank, societies around the world are aging at a pace never experienced in the past. It is the most dramatic demographic shift in history By the year 2025 there will be 1.2 billion people over the age of 60 years and 70°,0 of them will live in developing countries.

The International Federation on Aszeing (IFA) is a diverse membership that includes "grass roots" organizations and service providers in 50 countries around the world. The core part of the mission of the International Federation on Ageing is to improve the quality of life of older persons, and enhance their rights.
Since its creation in 1973, IFA has had a close collaborative relationship with the United Nations. IFA has been granted level 1 consultative status, the highest category, and we have a permanent representative in New York.

In the 1980s, the IFA prepared a fundamental document on the rights and responsibilities of elderly people. This document contributed to the ultimate formulation of the UN principles for Older Persons adopted in 1991.

During the International Year of Older Persons, in 1999, the IFA produced the Montreal Declaration on rights of older persons which was delivered to the UN for distribution to all member states, as well as to many NGOs and the media all over the world.

In a global study recently completed by International Federation on Ageing, approximately 30,000 older adults and those working with them from 71 countries, told us their perceptions on how life had changed in the last decade. Questions were asked on the basic needs of life.

The study reveals that there is a belief in many parts of the world the quality of life of seniors has been deteriorating over the
last decade. The worst situation is in the developing countries. For example, on the issue of whether older persons have the economic means to afford basic human needs such as food, shelter and clothing, an overwhelming 87 percent of respondents from countries that are ranked low on the Human Development Index (HDI) felt that the situation of elderly persons is worse than what it was 10 years ago. This contrasts with developing countries ranked medium on the HDI, where 51 percent feel that their situation is better. Similar results were obtained on other key measures.

While there is encouraging news in much of the developed world, nevertheless there are sizable numbers of individuals who hold the opinion that the situation has worsened or has stayed the same.
What Do Older Adults See As The Major Issues Requiring Action Based on the studies that we have undertaken and ongoing consultations with our members and other NGOs, we have identified a number of key issue that require immediate action:

1.-Large numbers of elderly people. mainly in the developing countries and rural areas, live in dire poverty, lacking financial security.

2.-Too many elderly people in the world have no opportunities to work and use their experience and knowledge accumulated over their lifetimes. Hence, then- are prevented from personal fulfillment and economic security. Equally, society loses the benefits of contributing to society and the economy.

3.-Elderly people lack political power and opportunities to present their views and recommendations about their needs and life aspirations. They are seeking a "voice" at community, provincial/state, national and international levels.

4.-Estimates are that between two and ten percent of the elderly population are abused or neglected, physically, psychologically or financially. Too frequently this problem goes ignored and unrecognized.

5.-In certain cases elderly people are still not guaranteed their full rights to financial security, health and social services, dignity (including the right to die) and independence.

6.-In many countries, mainly in the developing world, the family is still the major caregiver for older family members. However, in some parts of the world elderly people do not receive the family and community support they need. This issue becomes crucial when other services are not available.

    Older people are a resource and not a burden to society. 
 
 

1.- Governments should implement flexible retirement age policies which allow people to move in and out of the
workplace throughout the life course, including both full and parttime work. 

2. Governments should develop and adopt procedures and ways for including older citizens in policy discussions
and decision-making. 

3. Governments must commit themselves to taking concrete actions to prevent and eliminate the neglect and abuse of
older people. 

4. Governments should adopt and act upon the UN Principles for Older Persons. 

5. NGOs should be invited to be equal partners with governments in shaping new policies and in the provision of
programs and services. 

6. The IFA calls upon the private sector, foundations and philanthropists to join together with NGOs and
governments to commit resources for study and action on health and social issues relating to ageing societies. 

1. Powerful declarations, like Madrid, not only need effective implementation at the government level. A periodic
review is also required at the UN level. 

2.- The UN Program on .Ageing needs to be strengthened if it is to fulfill the mandate given by Madrid. 

3. Create an extra-budgetary fund to support field experiments and pilot programs with input from the UN. The funds
could be administered jointly by established International NGOs such as the International Federation on Ageing, HelpAge International and FIAPA with consultation and support of the UN Program on Ageing. 

                                              Closing 
 

Due to the dramatic and rapid ageing of the world's population, governments have no choice but to increase the priority that they attach to ageing issues. National policies must be changed. Careful planning and concerted action are essential.
The United Nations has worked hard to prepare a comprehensive International Plan of Action on Ageing. The Plan should be given recognition and high priority in government policies and programs, and sufficient resources should be allocated. We believe that successful implementation can best be achieved through close partnership between governments and NGOs.
IFA has made a commitment to work closely with other NGOs and in partnership with governments to ensure that policies are implemented for the betterment of the quality of life of ageing citizens everywhere. By sharing a common goal we can create the type of future that we all desire for ourselves and our children's children in their later stages of life.

IFA's 6th Global Conference on Ageing will take place this October in Perth, Australia, just half a year after this World Assembly. The ministers having responsibility for older persons around the world have been invited for a special meeting on this occasion to discuss implementation of the International Plan of Action. I look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you very much.