JEDDAH: On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, celebrated annually on the first of October, Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urged Member States and the international community to collaborate in providing opportunities and enhancing capabilities for older persons.
The focus is to empower older persons to overcome various challenges, particularly in the realms of peace, security, and development, with the ultimate goal of fostering societies marked by justice and equality across all generations.
The Secretary-General emphasized the OIC’s recognition of the vital role older persons play in ensuring societal well-being. Resolutions passed by the OIC have consistently underscored the social dimension’s pivotal role in attaining sustainable development, with investments in social protection serving as a means to that end.
OIC Role Promoting Well-Being of Older Persons
Notably, the first session of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Social Development in Istanbul in 2019 saw the adoption of the OIC Strategy on the Protection and Well-being of the Elderly in Member States. Furthermore, the Second Session of the conference, held in Cairo on June 5, 2023, endorsed a resolution promoting strengthened cooperation among OIC Member States in social fields, especially concerning the welfare and social security of the elderly.
In light of these efforts, Secretary-General Taha urged Member States to champion older persons, enhance their living conditions, establish supportive environments, continue benefiting from their vast expertise, reinvigorate their roles within societies, and encourage the adoption of best practices in their treatment. He also called upon relevant OIC bodies, institutions, and partner organizations to collaborate in supporting the endeavors of Member States in this crucial area.
This year, the United Nations chose the theme “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations” to mark the 2023 International Day of Older Persons, underscoring the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of older individuals globally.
