Reports, working papers, policy briefs and other publications

This report provides an overview of levels and trends in population ageing and the situation of older persons in Asia and the Pacific. It also provides an overview of policies and good practices on population ageing from across the region.

The report is being published following the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, convened from 29 June to 1 July 2022. The report draws together different documents prepared for the review and appraisal process, including voluntary national survey responses by ESCAP members and associate members, summaries of consultations with non-government stakeholders, and the report and outcome document adopted at the intergovernmental meeting.

The policy paper assesses the latest evidence on climate change and population ageing in the Asia-Pacific region. It outlines implications climate change will have on meeting the objectives of MIPAA and the 2030 Agenda. The paper calls for a coherent policy approach that is inclusive and forward-looking. One that protects older persons from climate impacts, reduces their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and harnesses their potential in climate action. It outlines several recommendations to support Asia-Pacific countries in considering the intersection between climate change and population ageing in the 2022 Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Importantly, it recognizes that older persons must have a voice in climate action.

The working paper provides guidance on what should be considered when policies on population ageing and older persons are being developed. It provides information on the policy context and existing global policy instruments that inform ageing policies. It further discusses how policy responses to population ageing and addressing the situation of older persons can be developed, ranging from establishing institutional arrangements, policy planning, stakeholder engagement as well as planning for implementation and monitoring. The paper provides a range of policy options and good practice examples of policies and processes from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The paper concludes with a checklist of policy elements and processes to consider in the policy process.