The UN General Assembly convened the first World Assembly on Ageing in 1982. As a result, the Vienna International Plan of Action, calling for humanitarian and developmental approaches to ageing was developed.

The Second World Assembly on Ageing was organized to help states and societies develop policies that ensure older persons can continue to make a substantial contribution to society to the best of their ability. In addition to reviewing the results of the first World Assembly, the Second World Assembly adopted a revised Plan of Action, which took into account the social, cultural, economic and demographic realities of the new 21st century.

This International Plan of Action contained an International Strategy for Action on Aging, which provided practical assistance to policy-makers in dealing with the demographic changes in their societies. The Strategy emphasized the need to give ageing a place in all action programs, national and international, as well as in all essential documents relating to human rights and social and economic development.

The Madrid International Plan of Action adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 offered a bold new agenda for handling the issue of ageing in the 21st-century. It focused on three priority areas: older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments.

Report of the Second World Assembly on Ageing (23 May 2002)

Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002)

Follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons: Second World Assembly on Ageing (July 2013)

United Nations Global Issues – Ageing

International Day of Older Persons (1 October)

Report of the Second World Assembly on Ageing – Madrid, April 2002