On 12 May, Member States of the United Nations (UN) issued a statement in support of the UN Policy Brief on the impact of COVID-19 on older persons, with 140 co-signatories including all EU27 countries, the UK and Norway. The Policy Brief was launched on 1 May by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, calling for actions that respect the rights and dignity of older people.
In the statement, Member States expressed their concern regarding the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of older persons, who are at significantly higher risk of mortality and severe disease. They noted the potential negative impacts of certain protective measures on older persons, exacerbating vulnerabilities and increasing the risk of discrimination, violence and neglect. They recognized the importance of empowering older people to remain valuable contributors to society, via measures that are inclusive of their specific needs and protect their social and economic wellbeing as equal beneficiaries compared to others.
The Member States commit to fully promoting and respecting the dignity and rights of older persons, by working together to strengthen global and national responses that address the needs of these persons, thereby fostering more inclusive, equitable and age-friendly societies. The Statement of Support for the UN Policy Brief can be found here: https://www.un.org/development/desa/ageing/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/05/Statement-of-Support-to-SG-Policy-Brief-COVID19-OPs.pdf
