JAKARTA INITIATIVE ON SOCIAL PROTECTION

FOR OLDER PERSONS

14 November 2007

We, the participants of “Jakarta Forum on Social Protection for Senior Citizen in Indonesia and ASEAN Countries” express our appreciation to the organizers of this event.

The Jakarta Forum notices the importance of improving social protection for senior citizen by addressing population ageing issue in ASEAN region.

We were able to learn from the efforts and initiatives of various countries (governments and other institutions concerned) aimed at advocating for the improvement of social protection to our older persons populations.

We expect that this Forum and its outcomes will contribute to the MIPAA + 5 review and the achievement of MDGs at country and ASEAN level. In particular, we would like to declare that:

  1. The existence of various forms of social protection in Asian and European countries demonstrates the importance to secure the well being of senior citizens.
  1. For these reasons, we call on our governments, the UN bodies, the international donor community and civil society to continue their commitment and strengthen their support to the further actions (analysis, research, debate and implementation) to improve social protection for senior citizens in the region.
  1. There is international evidence of the positive impact of social pension in the reduction of poverty and disparities that can be taken into consideration to improve countries policies on social protection systems;
  1. Social Pension is feasible and affordable in ASEAN countries therefore “could” be considered to be implementedsuitable on specific age target for each ASEAN countries. There should be establishment of working action-oriented group to follow-up the issue and to formulate proper and appropriate procedure in delivering welfare to the older persons in Indonesia and ASEAN countries. Harmonization of and futher regulations regarding Law of NSSS.
  1. Networking and exchange among ASEAN countries is essential to establish successful policies and programmes of social protection for all ASEAN older persons;
  1. To establish Coalition of ASEAN NCA (National Commision on Ageing), followed by the consultation with ASEAN Secretariat about the possibility for the engagement in ASEAN mechanism
  1. To promote social protection coverage, including social pension to the poor and needy older persons, which could improve their wellbeing and participation in the society.
  1. We should continue our dialogues on Social Protection for Senior Citizens in technical working groups and explore areas of cooperation in the area of social protection in an aging society.
  1. The results of our forum will be published and disseminated among all relevant stakeholders.

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