The State Welfare Organization of Iran (SWO), and the Secretariat of the National Council for Older Persons, together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), hosted a high-level event in Tehran to commemorate the International Day of Older Persons. The event brought together government high-level officials, the UN Resident Coordinator, Ambassadors of the People's Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to celebrate over a decade of cooperation in advancing the well-being, rights, and dignity of older persons in Iran.
Twelve Years of Progress in Ageing Policy and Services
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Seyed Javad Hosseini, Head of the State Welfare Organization, reflected on twelve years of sustained collaboration with UNFPA. He noted that this partnership has helped Iran move from general discussions on ageing to concrete policies and programmes that directly impact people’s lives. Among the most significant achievements are the drafting of the National Document on Older Persons and its National Action Plan, which provide a strategic framework for ensuring the Older Persons live in dignity.
Dr. Hosseini also highlighted the implementation of the National Survey for Older Persons, designed to capture the realities and needs of older persons across the country. The partnership has also enabled the establishment of a structured system for training professional caregivers, ensuring that families and communities have access to skilled care. Another major achievement has been the development of the Age-Friendly Environment initiative, which has already designated 18 cities across Iran as pioneers in adapting infrastructure and services to meet the needs, and ensure social inclusion of older persons.
The collaboration has further extended into strengthening legal frameworks. With UNFPA’s technical support, Iran has revised its National Document of Older Persons and drafted a Bill on the Rights of Older Persons, which is now under review. Dr. Hosseini underscored that these milestones demonstrate how international cooperation has brought global knowledge to Iran, while also enhancing the capacity of domestic experts and institutions.
UNFPA’s Commitment to Building Age-Inclusive Societies
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Population Fund, Mr. Keita Ohashi, UNFPA Representative in Iran, emphasized the urgency of addressing the global phenomenon of population ageing. He reminded the audience that ageing is not only about numbers but about ensuring dignity, equity, and opportunity for older people. He drew attention to the feminization of ageing, noting that women often outlive men yet face systemic disadvantages. Lower lifetime earnings, limited access to pensions, higher poverty rates, and discriminatory inheritance practices disproportionately affect elderly women, particularly in developing countries.
“This year’s global theme, ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action,’ highlights the leadership role of older persons themselves,” said Mr. Ohashi. “Our long-standing partnership with the Government of Iran has allowed us to make significant strides—from strengthening long-term care and social protection systems to developing age-friendly environments and disability-inclusive services.
Lessons and Inspiration from Global Experiences
The event also served as a platform for international dialogue. His Excellency, Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada of Japan shared Japan’s unique experience as one of the most aged societies in the world, where nearly 29 percent of the population is above the age of 65. He explained that Japan views its elderly not as a burden, but as an active resource, and has invested heavily in robotics, artificial intelligence, and health insurance systems to support independent living and active ageing.
His Excellency, Ambassador Kim Junpyo of the Republic of Korea reflected on the rapid demographic transition in his country, where low birth rates and a fast-growing older population present both challenges and opportunities. He emphasized that older persons are a source of strength for communities, pointing to the Republic of Korea’s efforts in creating dementia counseling centers, generating one million jobs annually for older citizens, and piloting AI-based community care systems.
His Excellency, Ambassador Cong Peiwu of the People's Republic of China underlined his country’s large-scale efforts to meet the needs of its 114 million older citizens. He highlighted China’s commitment to expanding social care systems and reforming services for people living with disabilities, while also expressing readiness to share experiences with Iran in areas where the two countries can collaborate for mutual benefit.
Mr. Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, reminded participants that population ageing is a rapidly unfolding global trend, with projections indicating that nearly one-third of the world’s population will be aged 60 or older by 2050. He noted that Iran’s life expectancy has now surpassed 70 years, which reflects major progress but also requires careful planning to manage the economic and social implications of an ageing society. “The United Nations remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said, drawing attention to Iran’s constitutional commitment to safeguarding the health of older persons.
