“Good morning. A warm welcome to you to our National Coalition on Ageing Forums & Meeting 2021. Frankly, I am thankful to God that we finally managed to get this event off the ground. When we first mooted the idea of having this event early last year, the number of Covid 19 cases was only in single digits. We had to defer the program many times especially after the third Covid19 wave in September last year. Malaysia saw a sudden surge in cases after the Sabah election. We praised God that the number of cases are now finally under control, to a certain extent, with daily Covid19 figures finally dipped to below the 1,000 mark on March 29 for the first time in months.
This event is a very important milestone for civil society organizations as for the first time we have gathered a good number of voluntary organizations together to share their experiences and learn from each other. The civil society sector plays a very important role especially those in the developing countries as they must learn to sustain themselves in the future while serving societies and democracy better.
The world’s population is ageing. By 2050, one in five people will be aged 60 or over. Due to longer life expectancy and a decline in fertility, older people already outnumber children under five, by 2050, they will outnumber those under 15. Much of this growth is taking place in developing countries, where
the structures and policies do not exist to support a life of dignity and inclusion in older age.
Living longer is a triumph of development. It is changing the way we view our lives, and the possibilities of what we will be able to achieve in life are expanding. For some of us, the accumulation of wealth over time, contribution to pension schemes and ever-improving healthcare mean we are healthier and
wealthier than ever in our older age.
However, we live in an increasing unequal world and, as we live longer, inequalities deepen. For millions of people the impact of years of poverty, inadequate access to healthcare, poor nutrition and limited education accumulate with devastating impact in older age. In low and middle -income countries just one in four people above pensionable age receives a pension, so retirement is a luxury for the very few.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have always been at the forefront of the fight for equality and inclusion. Whether focused on gender equality, disability or ethnic minorities, civil society activists have stood up for the rights of people neglected or discriminated against by society and governments and tirelessly promoted the rights and inclusion of the most marginalised.
However, there is still a long way to go with regard to ageing and older people. We need the support of civil society to acknowledge and embrace the fact that we live in a world with a rapidly growing older population, and to tackle ageism, arguably the last unrecognised widespread, identity-based form of
discrimination.
We are now starting to see some recognition and positive change. The engagement of civil society in the negotiation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighted the importance of leaving no one behind, regardless of, for example, age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, location and social and economic status.
Age is now included in the 17 SDGs and their targets. Whilst these high level commitments have not yet had time to translate into meaningful change on the ground, we are already seeing positive signs that change is coming and older people will have greater inclusion in organised civil society.
Conclusion & Recommendations
To conclude, For one to live a long and healthy life we need a place where functional ability is fostered across the life course and where older people experience equal rights and opportunities and can live lives free from age-based discrimination.
To achieve this, the following objectives must be set;
1. Commitment to action on Healthy Ageing
2. Develop age-friendly environments
3. Aligning health systems to the needs of the older populations
4. Developing sustainable and equitable systems for providing long-term care (home, communities & institutions)
5. Improving measurement, monitoring and research on Healthy Ageing.
Policy makers need to respond to population ageing. A priority has to be age-inclusive development and humanitarian planning, policies and programmes supporting older people’s health and economic, social and political empowerment.
To this end , I would like to express my gratitude to our Guest of Honor Yang Berusaha Dr Khebir Verasahib for his precious time to grace and officiate this conference. I would humbly like to call upon Dr Khebir to use his good office in MOH to publicize and highlight the needs of seniors and to make Malaysia their first choice when they retire.
I like to thank our partners MyAgeing Universiti Putra Malaysia and United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) for driving this initiative in bringing these diverse group of public, private and civil society on ageing together. My appreciation goes out to our moderators and panelists for sharing their expertise in today’s forums.
I also wish to thank all our event sponsors; Kenanga Investors, Tan Sri Dato Dr. Soong, Suntrack Development , GM Klang, Nomura Asset Management, O’Briens, Nestle Nutren & Omega Plus and Beaubelle for their support and generous contributions.
Finally to my fellow organising committee team members, volunteers and not forgetting our media friends.... TQ for their hard work and dedication in making this event a success. Without them this event would not be possible.
Last but not least a BIG Thank you to all delegates here both physically or virtually.... especially for some of you who have travelled great distance to attend this event. We are humbled and truly honoured. All Praise and Glory to
God!
Thank you and enjoy the forums and networking.
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