Society for All Ages, a

Population ageing has become an increasing concern for governments in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region. In most countries, the period which has seen the highest proportion of working-age population, the time of the so-called “demographic bonus” is gradually coming to an end. While the degree and timing of this process may vary greatly, the change is common to all countries, posing challenges as well as holding opportunities. In 2007, UNECE member states took stock of the implementation of the commitments made in 2002 when they adopted the Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS) for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). To review the situation five years on and to identify priorities for the future, the Government of Spain and the UNECE organized a Ministerial Conference on Ageing in Spain in 2007. The volume includes the material presented and adopted at the Conference.