ABSTRACT
MIPAA laid new grounds in response to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century. Addressing ageing within a framework of poverty reduction, participation, gender equality and human rights, it called for linking ageing to development and mainstreaming ageing into all policy areas, especially national development frameworks and poverty reduction strategies. Review and appraisal including monitoring of progress towards implementation of the Madrid Plan were essential for its success. Twenty years have passed since the adoption of the Plan. Reviews of progress were conducted periodically at national, regional, and global levels. Every milestone of the review process showed some important progress, but this has been uneven and not enjoyed by older persons everywhere. Over the years, many countries adopted new policies, strategies, plans, and laws related to population ageing. At every stage, major concerns included sustainability of social protection systems, the growing demand for health and care services, older workers’ participation in the labour market and empowerment of older persons. Developing national capacity was also among the chief priorities, including institutional infrastructure, human and financial resources, research, data collection and analysis, and policy development. Many governments addressed these issues in varying degrees, but challenges remain as the international community commemorates the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Madrid Plan. Lack of commitment and political will, insufficient financial and human resources, and lack of evidence-based data and research continue to be serious impediments to the full implementation of the Madrid Plan.
