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in Asia and the Pacific, 1999 Social Development Division, United Nations ESCAP |
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29 November 1985
96th plenary meeting
Implementation of the International Plan of Action on Aging
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 33/52 of 14 December 1978, by which it decided to organize a World Assembly on Aging in 1982 as a forum to launch an international programme of action aimed at guaranteeing economic and social security to older persons, as well as opportunities for them to contribute to national development,
Recalling further its resolution 37/51 of 3 December 1982, by which it endorsed the International Plan of Action on Aging adopted by consensus by the World Assembly on Aging,
Reaffirming the part of the preamble of the Plan of Action that solemnly recognizes that the quality of life is no less important than longevity and that the aging should therefore, as far as possible, be enabled to enjoy in their own families and communities a life of fulfilment, health, security and contentment and be appreciated as an integral part of society,
Well aware that the formulation and implementation of policies on aging are the sovereign right and responsibility of each State, and recognizing that the promotion of the activities, safety and well-being of the elderly should be an essential part of an integrated and concerted development effort,
Concerned that the report of the Secretary-General on the first review and appraisal of the implementation of the Plan of Action shows that in 1985, 55.4 per cent of the global population of the elderly is living in developing regions and that, according to projections, by the year 2025 more than 70 per cent of all persons sixty years of age and over will live in developing countries, which are least prepared to meet the economic and social consequences of this drastic shift in population structure,
Convinced that the elderly must be considered an important and necessary element in the development process at all levels within a given society,
Convinced also that increasing longevity is an achievement of mankind and a sign of progress, and that the aged are an asset and not a liability to society because of the invaluable contribution they can make by virtue of their accumulated wealth of knowledge and experience,
Mindful that 1985 is the first year in which the General Assembly has had the opportunity to review the progress made in implementing the Plan of Action, adopted in 1982,
Noting with concern that contributions pledged to the United Nations Trust Fund for Aging decreased to $39,110 in the twelve-month period ending in December 1984, despite the repeated appeals of the Secretary-General to increase contributions,
Noting also with concern that the expenditures of the Trust Fund are expected to decrease from $450,000 in the biennium 1984-1985 to $150,000 in the next biennium,
Alarmed that the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1986-1987 shows a projected cut of 30 per cent in the funds to be allocated from the regular budget to the Aging Unit of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs,
Deeply preoccupied with the fact that the Aging Unit lacks the structural organization, autonomy, funds and necessary manpower to carry out effectively its mandate of implementing the Plan of Action,
1. Requests the Secretary-General to invite Member States, the specialized agencies and other organizations concerned within the United Nations system to comment on ways and means of implementing the International Plan of Action on Aging and, in particular, on the desirability and viability of elaborating a United Nations programme for the implementation of the Plan of Action, and to prepare a report on the basis of these comments for submission to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1986;
2. Further requests the Secretary-General to include in that report a full analysis of the programmatic and financial aspects of activities undertaken by all organs, bodies and organizations of the United Nations system under the Plan of Action since its inception;
3. Invites interested non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to provide, through the Secretary-General, information and documentation that will facilitate this work;
4. Requests the Economic and Social Council to consider the report at its first regular session of 1986 and to submit appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly at its forty-first session;
5. Decides to consider at its forty-first session the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council as a matter of high priority.