ISLAMABAD: The International Day for Older Persons is being observed on Wednesday (October 1) across the world with its theme “Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All”.
In his message on the occasion, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has urged governments and people everywhere to ensure full participation of older persons in society while protecting their rights and dignity.
On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly made October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the assembly.
The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1, 1991.
In 1991 the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. In 2002 the second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.
