Question of the elderly and the aged.

32. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
131. Question of the elderly and the aged

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 3137 (XXVIII) of 14 December 1973 on the question of the elderly and the aged, Noting Economic and Social Council resolution 2077 (LXII) of 13 May 1977 on the elderly, and the views expressed during the debate on the question at the twenty-fifth session of the Commission for Social Development,[1] Emphasizing that in the Declaration on Social Progress and Development[2] the General Assembly has proclaimed the necessity of protecting the rights and assuring the welfare of the aged, Noting also that in the World Population Plan of Action all Governments were urged, when formulating their development policies and programmes, to take fully into account the implications of changing numbers and proportions of the aged, particularly where such changes are rapid,[3] Bearing in mind that people all over the world now can expect a longer life and that more people reach old age, thus changing the population structure in many countries, Recognizing the growing interest for developing and developed societies in the fuller participation of the elderly in the mainstream of national societies, Noting the need for old people to be included in the general social welfare and social security system, where such systems exist, and to provide for their special needs of security, service and care, Bearing in mind the need to develop policies and programmes for the aging sector of society as an important part of comprehensive plans for economic and social development, Stressing the importance of the role that the United Nations system should play in providing assistance to countries in carrying out their economic and social development plans, including those concerning the elderly and the aged, Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the question of the elderly and the aged,[4]

1. Recommends to the Governments concerned, in formulating their national policies and programmes, to take into account the recommendations contained in General Assembly resolution 3137 (XXVIII) and to consider developing, as required and in accordance with their national priorities, policies and programmes for the welfare, including housing and social services, health, humanitarian well-being and economic security, of older people as well as measures aimed at maximizing their economic independence and their social integration into society, especially older people living in slums and uncontrolled settlements;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to continue and to expand, within the limits of existing resources, activities in this field, in co-operation with the agencies concerned, particularly:

(a) To consider measures for strengthening the activities of the regional commissions designed to assist the planning, establishment and improvement of social and health services for the aging;

(b) To assist Governments, at their request and in accordance with their national priorities, in the planning, establishment and expansion of programmes for the older sector of the population in the context of their over-all development programmes;

(c) To conduct seminars and workshops and to undertake studies on special issues in this field, in particular those faced by the developing countries concerned with the problem;

(d) To conduct research into the possibility of preserving and promoting the strengthening of the family unit with a view to facilitating, where appropriate, the care of the elderly and the aged by their own families;

(e) To collect, collate and disseminate the information on aging through the information Exchange System;

3. Requests the competent and concerned specialized agencies to give continued attention to regional and international meetings on the major problems of concern to the aging and suggests that these organizations should engage in regular exchanges of information about their plans and activities in this field, particularly at the regional level;

4. Requests the concerned United Nations bodies, organs and programmes, as well as the specialized agencies and interested non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, to join with the United Nations in well-co-ordinated activities to assist all Governments concerned, especially those of the developing countries, in formulating and implementing policies and programmes for the welfare, including housing and social services, health and protection, of older people, aimed at maximizing their economic independence and maintaining a suitable role in society;

5. Invites the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, in accordance with its mandate and the recommendations of the World Population Plan of Action and the guidance of its Governing Council, to provide financial assistance to developing countries, upon request, in improving the conditions of the aging;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Economic and Social Council in 1979, through the Commission for Social Development, a progress report on the action taken on the present resolution and to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session;

7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-fourth session an item entitled "The elderly and the aged".

105th plenary meeting
16 December 1977

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[1] Ibid., Supplement No. 5 (E/5915). [2] Resolution 2542 (XXIV). [3] Report of the World Population Conference, 1974 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.75.XIII.3), para. 63. [4] A/32/130 and Corr.1.