Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), recently hosted a symposium titled “Implementation Follow-up of the Arab Strategy for the Elderly: Possibilities and Challenges.” This event aimed to assess the progress of the ‘Arab Strategy for the Elderly’, with focus on social and political dimensions impacting its implementation.
Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, inaugurated the symposium, emphasising the value of the elderly in society. “The elderly are treasures of experience and wisdom, and our duty is to ensure they live with dignity, receiving the care befitting their invaluable status. We are here today to discuss the implementation of the Arab Strategy for the Elderly and to share best practices that enhance their quality of life, from essential healthcare to social services that promote their integration,” She said.
The symposium, based on the mandate of the 30th Arab Summit, addressed the existing care and protection services for the elderly, identified challenges in implementing the strategy, and explored mechanisms to leverage available resources. Jocelyn Venard, the representative of the UN Population Fund for GCC countries, noted that the symposium offers an essential platform to assess progress and emphasise the importance of collaborative action across Gulf and Arab nations. He highlighted the need to develop policies that maintain the elderly’s active societal roles, ensuring their well-being and support.
Tariq bin Nabil al Nabulsi, Director of the Department of Development and Social Policies at the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, also addressed the symposium, commending Oman’s alignment with the Arab Strategy for the Elderly through Oman Vision 2040.
This vision aspires to a society of “creative people” who live with dignity and sustainable well-being, a vision that resonates with the goals of the Arab Strategy for the Elderly.
Al Nabulsi further expressed the Technical Secretariat’s readiness to support national-level strategy implementation alongside partners like the United Nations Population Fund and the International Organization for Helping Older Persons, adhering to international standards that bolster Arab efforts toward the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The symposium, continuing through November 7, sets a solid foundation for implementing the Arab Strategy for the Elderly by drawing on the experiences of member states and leveraging specialised presentations to establish guiding principles. These efforts aim to fulfil the strategy’s objectives and secure a dignified, integrated role for the elderly across Arab nations.
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