Bangkok--25 Jul--UNISBKK Meeting Takes Place in Bangkok 25 — 27 July The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is holding a Seminar on the Social, Health and Economic Consequences of Population Ageing in the Context of Changing Families from 25 to 27 July, 2007, in Bangkok. The seminar is attended by experts and government representatives from 13 countries in Asia. The seminar is being organized at a time when population ageing — resulting from declining fertility and increasing longevity -- has emerged as an important issue challenging several countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The number of older persons in the region will grow rapidly, from 410 million in 2007 to about 733 million in 2025 and to an expected1.3 billion in 2050. In terms of percentages, older persons -- currently representing over 10 per cent of the total population -- will constitute about 15.4 percent of the population in 2025 and up to 24.3 per cent by 2050. The change will have far-reaching social and economic implications on income security, social welfare and medical services. The challenges brought about by a rapidly ageing population are compounded by other demographic changes which are transforming family life across the region. The declining number of younger people, as well as the increasing number of working women, has resulted in fewer caregivers to attend to the need of older persons staying at home. The situation is worsened by the rural-urban migration experienced by many countries in the region, leaving many older persons behind in rural areas. The seminar is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the causes and socio-economic and health consequences of population ageing, giving special attention to changing families which traditionally have been providing support and care for older persons. Besides examining the existing programmes and policies of the region, the seminar will also provide recommendations on further strengthening national programmes. The outcome of the seminar will also contribute to the High-Level Meeting on the Regional Review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), scheduled to be held in Macao, China, from 9 to 11 October 2007. For more information about the seminar, please visit www.unescap.org/esid/index.asp or contact: Brian Thomson United Nations Information Services Tel: (+662) 288 —1869; Fax: (+662) 288-1052 E-mail: [email protected] Headquartered in Bangkok, UNESCAP is the largest of the UN's five Regional Commissions in terms of its membership, population served and area covered. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, UNESCAP aims to promote economic and social progress. More information onUNESCAP is available from www.unescap.org. United Nations Information Services Bangkok United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 288-1866 * Fax: (+66-2) 288-1052 * E-mail: [email protected]