Press Release
KARACHI: Gerontologist Dr Kemal Aydin, president of the Ibni Sina Institute and the World Ageing Council, has formally announced his candidacy for the position of United Nations Global Envoy on Ageing. The move follows 25 years of sustained engagement in global ageing diplomacy.
The announcement was made in Pakistan during the MoU signing ceremony between Ibni Sina Institute and Daily Metro Morning and is backed by an initiative led collectively by Asian countries, reflecting broad regional support. Dr Aydin’s candidacy is rooted in a long-standing commitment to addressing the challenges posed by population ageing worldwide.
His work has focused on healthy ageing, social protection, the human rights of older persons, active and productive ageing, and strengthening intergenerational solidarity. If appointed, Dr Aydin plans to lead the establishment of the World Ageing Fund. This fund would serve as the main vehicle for implementing the World Ageing Program at the global level.
The program would be implemented in close coordination with the United Nations, the World Health Organization, other relevant UN agencies, regional bodies and member states. Its priorities would center on healthy and active ageing, age-friendly cities and communities, access to healthcare and long-term care systems, social inclusion and dignity in old age, and the protection and promotion of the rights of older persons.
In a statement, Dr Aydin said ageing should not be viewed only as a demographic trend but as a wider global issue linked to peace, development and human dignity. Dr Kemal added that the Asian-led initiative seeks to build an inclusive and equitable global framework on ageing that benefits all regions.
The initiative is expected to strengthen multilateral cooperation on ageing, particularly across the Global South. It aims to support OIC member states, ASEAN, SAARC and other developing regions by improving policy coordination and reinforcing international solidarity on ageing-related issues.
