Mr/Madam President, Excellencies, Honorable Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is an honor to address this august gathering where the representatives of the governments and civil societies have convened to debate an unprecedented demographic change in the history of humanity. Population aging is a global phenomenon that has or will affect every community; a largely irreversible trend that is the result of the demographic transition from high to low levels of fertility and mortality.

Population aging has major consequences and implications in all areas of human life, especially economic and health. The proportion of older persons that started to rise in the twentieth century is expected to continue in this century. The number of individuals aged over 60 is projected to grow to almost 2 billion by 2050, of whom fifty-four percent live in Asia. Our national figures indicate that the number of people aged 60 years or older has doubled in the last 30 years; and consequently 7.8 percent of the population now consists of this age group. By 2020 this age group will constitute almost 10 percent of our population

The median age for the world that is now 26 years is expected to reach 36 years by 2050. The median age in The Islamic Republic of Iran that was 16.8 years in 1966 has escalated to 19.4 years in 1996. It is projected to grow to 32.2 by 2020.

Dramatic improvements in longevity are a worldwide experience. Life expectancy at birth has climbed about 20 years since 1950, from 46 years to its current level of 66 years. In Iran we had over 11 years rise within the last two decades, from 57 years in 1976 to 68.5 in 1996.

At present four million people aged over 60 years live in Iran, of which 57 percent are urban dwellers. Women, with lower literacy rate and higher financial dependence, comprise almost half of this number.

Although the challenge of aging population has recently emerged, we have long-established traditions based on Ishunic teachings. Verses 23 and 24 of the chapter 17 of The Holy Quoran read: Thy Lord hath decreed that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.

Accordingly, this stands on the top of the Islamic government's agenda to provide for the health and social services of this age group. 

Vitality of our societies depends on active participation by older persons. Thus it is imperative that we support economic and social conditions that allow people of all ages to remain integrated to the society. The National Third Five-year Development Plan (2000-2004) has envisaged a high council consisting of all the ministers and head of the relevant agencies, whether governmental or none governmental to develop uniform national policies and to assign each office with particular task for the physical, mental, social, and economic well being of the people over 60 years of age. Based on the policies of the Ministry of Health & Medical Education, now Iranian government agencies as well as NGOs are involved to see to health and rehabilitation services this growing sector of the community needs. Meanwhile, other aspect of their life such as pension and literacy are also well taken care of by other government offices.

We are of strong conviction that the objective of social protection schemes is to provide access to health services and income security, notwithstanding that mental and emotional stability and security are as important, particularly for women.

In this regard we are taking actions to ensure a minimum income to old individuals, particularly in rural areas. In the meantime, exhaustive endeavors have been exercised to include comprehensive programs for prevention and control of none-communicable disease including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental health problems into our primary health care system. Yet, promotion of healthy life style remains the corner stone of all the programs. 

While we are revising our curricula in all health related disciplines to encompass the geriatrics in all aspects, and make all required services accessible in the health network, clinical-based evidence as well as our rich cultural background indicates that the best place for the elderly to receive managed care would be within the family.