26 May 1983

Aging

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 37/51 of 3 December 1982 by which the General Assembly endorsed the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging,

Convinced that the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging should be considered an integral component of major international, regional and national strategies and should be implemented at the international, regional and national levels in order to enhance the quality of life of aging individuals and to respond effectively to the economic and social impact of the aging of populations on development,

Recognizing that the General Assembly, in its resolution 37/51, has requested the Economic and Social Council, through the Commission for Social Development, to review the implementation of the Plan of Action every four years, beginning in 1985, and transmit its findings to the General Assembly,

Reaffirming General Assembly resolution 37/51, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to make use of the United Nations Trust Fund for the World Assembly on Aging to meet the rapidly increasing needs of the aging in developing countries,

Acknowledging the efforts of the United Nations and the specialized agencies in the field of aging and the need to strengthen and co-ordinate these activities to ensure the effective implementation of the Plan of Action,

Aware that the exchange of information and experience at the international level is an effective means for stimulating progress and encouraging the adoption of measures to respond to the economic and social implications of the aging of populations and to meet the needs of older persons,

1. Calls upon Governments to make continuous efforts to implement the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging at the national level and to encourage, where appropriate, the maintenance of the national machinery established for the World Assembly on Aging and the co-operation of those committees with the United Nations through the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, for the exchange of information at the international and regional levels;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to take such steps as may be appropriate for the necessary strengthening of activities in the field of aging at the central and regional levels of the United Nations, as set forth in the Plan of Action;

3. Also requests the Secretary-General, in promoting the exchange of information and experience at the international level, as mandated by General Assembly resolution 37/51, to include, inter alia, the publication of an international review on aging and to continue research activities on the prospects and challenges of the aging of the world's population, to be financed from either voluntary contributions or existing resources;

4. Further requests the Secretary-General, in implementing General Assembly resolution 37/51 concerning the assessment, review and appraisal of the implementation of the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging, to convene an expert group meeting on the topic for the purpose of establishing guidelines and format for the preparation of the review, to be financed from voluntary contributions;

5. Invites the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to continue and strengthen their efforts in this field, in co-operation with the United Nations.