Sharjah has unveiled its four-year strategic plan to become the Arab world’s first age-friendly city.
After joining the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities earlier this year, the emirate has outlined its main objectives to 2020.
The Higher Follow-Up Committee for Sharjah presented its strategic plan 2017-2020, which is to be implemented across all sectors with the participation of all government entities in the emirate, a statement said.
The objectives include improving services offered to older members of the society across various sectors and ensuring their sustainability, preparing the community for a demographic shift in favour of the elderly as a result of rapid aging of the population.
The emirate will also aim to enable the elderly to integrate into society and share their experiences by strengthening the legislative environment that supports and protects their rights, the statement said.
Sharjah is the first Arab city among 414 major cities from around the world and one of two Middle Eastern cities – the other one being Tehran – to join the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.
In January this year, Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, issued an administrative decree formally heralding the emirate’s decision to join.
The move aims to create “a physical, healthy, social, economic and culturally sustainable environment in Sharjah, making the emirate the best place for the elderly people to be and enjoy a quality life”.
Source: http://bit.ly/2eHcjCe
