9 November 1981

49th plenary meeting

Question of the elderly and the aged

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 34/153 of 17 December 1979 on the question of the elderly and the aged, Recalling also its resolution 33/52 of 14 December 1978, in which it decided to convene a World Assembly on Aging in 1982 to launch an international action programme on aging,

Considering that the international programme of action on aging should respond to the socio-economic implications of the aging of populations and to the specific needs of older persons, and should pay due regard to the special situation of developing countries, in particular of the least developed countries,

Convinced that the objectives of an international plan of action on aging must be adapted to the aims of the new international economic order and the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade,

Noting with satisfaction the preparatory work for the World Assembly on Aging, and the leading role being played by the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat in the work of the United Nations in the field of aging,

Aware of the need for the continuing role of the Commission for Social Development and other appropriate United Nations bodies in the monitoring and evaluation of the international plan of action that would result from the World Assembly on Aging,

Appreciating the efforts of the specialized agencies and regional commissions and of the non-governmental organizations concerned in the promotion of awareness of the situation of the aging, Recognizing the important role of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities in furthering solutions to the problems of the elderly and the aged,

Noting that a United Nations Trust Fund for the World Assembly on Aging has been established by the Secretary-General in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 35/129 of 11 December 1980,

Taking note with appreciation of the progress report of the Secretary-General on the question of the elderly and the aged,

1. Recommends that Governments should continue to give attention to the question of aging, particularly in the formulation of national development policies and programmes in accordance with their national priorities;

2. Invites Member States to consider designating in their respective countries a "Day for the Aging" devoted to activities by, and on behalf of, the elderly and the aged and to report their views and comments to the Secretary-General;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session the views and comments received from Member States pursuant to the invitation contained in paragraph 2 above;

4. Appeals to Member States to make voluntary contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund for the World Assembly on Aging;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to use the Trust Fund to encourage further interest in the field of aging among developing countries, particularly the least developed among them, within the context of the World Assembly on Aging;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session on the status of the Trust Fund and to include in his report an account of project activities financed by the Fund;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to strengthen, within the limits of existing resources and voluntary contributions, activities in the field of aging in co-operation with the organizations concerned, and in particular:

(a) To assist Governments, at their request, in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for the elderly;

(b) To continue to monitor and research the implication of aging populations, especially in developing countries;

(c) To promote technical co-operation among developing countries in the exchange of information and technology in this field;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session on the implementation of paragraph 7 above and also to report any views received from Member States on the problems of the elderly and the aged;

9. Invites the United Nations Fund for Population Activities to continue to provide financial support in the field of aging, particularly for the implementation of the plan of action that would result from the World Assembly on Aging;

10. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session the item entitled "Question of the elderly and the aged".