International

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002)

Commits governments to achieving a set of 33 objectives that cover areas of concern to older people in developing countries and richer countries. The objectives are linked to existing international agreements, including the Millennium Development Goals.

United Nations Principles for Older Persons (1991)

Sets out older people's rights to independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity, but does not commit governments to fulfil any of its objectives.

United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development (1986)

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing explicitly refers to this Declaration, which recognises the rights of all people to development as a comprehensive economic, social, cultural and political process. However, the Declaration does not commit governments to fulfil any of its objectives.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

Commits governments to ensuring a series of rights and freedoms without distinguishing between different groups.

Regional strategies for implementing Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing

Africa

African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing

In July 2003, several years of joint work between HelpAge International's Africa Regional Development Centre and the African Union (formerly the Organisation of African Unity) culminated in the African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing.

Asia and the Pacific

For more European policies dealing with ageing, see our European Union policy pages

Older persons plans

Declaration of Lima

A submission to the Madrid Conference on Action on Ageing prepared by a meeting of older persons leaders form across Latin America and the Caribbean.