The UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing
On 12 April 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted a new International Action Plan on Ageing. This was an important step by the United Nations in identifying the global challenges of demographic change, and at the same time seeking international cooperation in addressing these challenges. At the Ministerial Conference on Ageing held from 11 to 13 September 2002 in Berlin, the member states of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) sought ways to implement the International Action Plan on Ageing at a regional level.
The ageing of the world's population causes profound changes and impacts on our society in many and diverse forms. The governments of the ECE member states are aware of their responsibilities and are striving to combine their efforts in seeking solutions. This cooperation was demonstrated successfully in preparing for the Ministerial Conference. The Regional Implementation Strategy was developed with the cooperation of actors from international bodies and in particular from non-governmental organisations.
The planning of the conference reflected this preparation. In addition to the attendance of relevant Ministers and their delegations from all 55 UNECE member states, numerous international organisations and NGOs participated as observers and contributed their viewpoints to the deliberations.
It is our common aim to create those framework conditions required to bring about future-oriented policies for all ages.
Christine Bergmann
former Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
