BANGKOK, 04 JULY 2022 – The Philippine delegation, led by H.E. Millicent Cruz Paredes, Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP), reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering pledge to empower older persons, their families, and their communities at the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), held online and in person in Bangkok, Thailand on 30 June - 02 July 2022. Ambassador Paredes was also elected by Member States to serve as a Vice Chair of the Meeting.

The Philippines joined Member States, civil society representatives, and international organizations in the call for the accelerated implementation of the MIPAA and to build a sustainable society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific. The meeting adopted a forward-looking outcome document on strengthening policy frameworks that protect older persons’ human rights, freedom from discrimination, and right to work, as well as include them in decision-making and in the development process, among other recommendations.

The Meeting also discussed the challenges of ensuring older persons’ social protection, health, and well-being into old age, given the current realities of the COVID- 19 pandemic, climate change, and the digital transformation.

Ambassador Paredes, in the Philippines’ country statement, shared the Government’s commitment to enhance its efforts in ensuring that older persons have an enabling and supportive environment to be able live independent, healthy, and active lives.

Commissioner Reymar R. Mansilungan of the National Commission on Senior Citizens, who joined the Philippine delegation in Bangkok, also discussed the importance of having accessible and reliable data and statistics on older persons in the Philippines, for evidenced-based policy-making and effective distribution of government services. 

Adopted in 2002, the MIPAA provides a comprehensive global framework on three priority areas: older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The MIPAA complements the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing. The results of the regional meeting will inform the Fourth Global Review in 2023.

For more information, please visit the Meeting’s webpage at: https://www.unescap.org/events/2022/asia-pacific-intergovernmental-meeting-fourth-review-and-appraisal-madrid-international. END