Question of the elderly and the aged

XXVI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2842. Question of the elderly and the aged

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 2599 (XXIV) of 16 December 1969 and its decision of 15 December 1970 recommending that a high priority be given to the question of the elderly and the aged, Taking note with appreciation of the preliminary report of the Secretary-General,[1] which reviews the major socio-economic problems of the elderly and the aged and the impact of technological and scientific advances on their well-being, Bearing in mind the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with reference to respect for the dignity and worth of the human person, Recalling the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, which emphasizes the protection of the rights and the assuring of the welfare of the aged, Bearing in mind that demographic projections and anticipated social change indicate that the position of the elderly and the aged in society is expected to deteriorate in many industrialized as well as in many developing countries unless appropriate policies are -initiated to deal with their needs and to ensure opportunities for their participation in national life and their contribution to the development of their communities, Considering that the interaction of social, cultural, economic and technological factors affecting the elderly .and the aged calls for integrated policies and appropriate programmes at the country level, Noting that an exploratory cross-national survey is being conducted by the Secretary-General, in cooperation with several countries, to analyse the changing socio-economic role and status of old people, Bearing in mind the importance for the elderly and the aged to be informed of the interest and concern of the United Nations about their welfare and need Is,

1. Requests the Secretary-General to continue the study of the changing socio-economic and cultural role and status of the aged in countries of different levels of development and to prepare, within existing resources and in co-operation with the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organization and other interested specialized agencies, a report suggesting guidelines for national policies and international action related to the needs and the role of the elderly and the aged in society in the context of over-all development, particularly in countries where the socio-economic problems of the aged are marked;

2. Requests Governments to disseminate, in the best way they deem appropriate, the information contained in the present resolution for the benefit of the elderly and the aged;

3. Further requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on this subject to the Economic and Social Council in 1973, through the Commission for Social Development, and to report to the General Assembly at its twenty-eighth session on the action taken on the present resolution.

2025th plenary meeting,
18 December 1971.

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[1] A/8364.