International Day of Older Persons today

The 36th International Day of Older Persons is being observed worldwide and in Bangladesh on Thursday, October 1, with this year’s theme calling for a rethink of systems to support longer lives.

The United Nations General Assembly decided on December 14, 1990, to observe October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons every year. Bangladesh has been observing the day since 1991.

The Department of Social Services has taken a range of programmes to mark the day, including rallies, discussion meetings, special newspaper supplements and awareness campaigns through mobile phone messages, electronic media and social media.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued separate messages on the occasion, stressing the need to ensure healthcare, social security, financial protection and dignity for the country’s growing elderly population.

In his message, the president said rising life expectancy, driven by advances in medical science and improved living standards, has increased the number of older people worldwide. He called for renewed attention to healthcare, social security, housing and employment systems for older citizens.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said longer lives are creating new opportunities but also require health, social protection and family-support systems to be adapted to the needs of an ageing population. He said the government has taken measures including expanding old-age allowances and strengthening social protection programmes.

The UN says the number of people aged 60 and above is projected to rise from 1.2 billion to 2.1 billion by 2050, underscoring the growing importance of policies that allow people to age with security and dignity.