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World-wide attention on the problems of the ageing

The UN General Assembly, in , of 14 December 1978, recognized the need to call world-wide attention to the serious problems of the ageing, a growing portion of the world's population, and decided to organized in consultation with Member States, specialized agencies and organizations concerned, a World Assembly on the Elderly in 1982.

The World Assembly on Ageing was held in Vienna in 1982 and was meant to be a forum to launch an international action programme aimed at guaranteeing economic and social security to older persons, as well as opportunities to contribute to national development.

The Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing was the result of World Assembly on Ageing. It was the first international instrument on ageing, providing a basis for the formulation of policies and programmes on ageing. It was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982 (in ), having been adopted earlier that same year at the World Assembly on Ageing. It included 62 recommendations for action addressing research, data collection and analysis, training and education, as well as the following sectoral areas: health and nutrition, protection of elderly consumers, housing and environment, family, social welfare, income security and employment, and education.

The aim of the Plan of Action was to strengthen the capacities of Governments and civil society to deal effectively with the ageing of populations and to address the developmental potential and dependency needs of older persons. It promoted regional and international cooperation and included 62 recommendations for action addressing research, data collection and analysis, training and education as well as the following sectoral areas:

• health and nutrition;

• protection of elderly consumers;

• housing and environment;

• family;

• social welfare;

• income security and employment;

• education.