Message of the First Vice President on the Occasion of the First National and International Congress on Aging at Tehran University of Medical Sciences

According to Sina Media of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the message from the First Vice President, Dr. Mohammad Reza Aref, is as follows:

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Esteemed professors, distinguished researchers, and respected participants,

Greetings to all of you who are present and participating in this scientific and practical gathering.

Today, as we attend the opening ceremony of this distinguished seminar, I am very pleased to witness serious attention to one of the most important issues of our country's future—the phenomenon of population aging. This conference, which is being held in cooperation with medical universities in Tehran, the Health Insurance Organization, and the Scientific Society of Geriatrics, provides an opportunity to take effective steps toward addressing this multi-dimensional phenomenon.

It is hoped that the thoughtful efforts and evidence-based decision-making of the experts in this seminar will contribute to comprehensive policy-making regarding healthy, active, and dynamic aging for all the elder citizens of this ancient land. These efforts can be used by government agencies and public institutions.

On the other hand, our society needs the active and valuable presence of the elderly more than ever. Our elderly are a precious treasure of experience, wisdom, and national and religious culture. They can serve as driving forces for the progress and advancement of the country by passing on this invaluable heritage to the younger generation.

Therefore, the 14th government is determined to take significant steps toward improving the welfare and quality of life for the elderly through a comprehensive and effective approach. In this regard, we have planned a variety of programs, and I will now briefly review some of the issues and solutions.

Population Aging: Opportunity or Threat?

As you know, population aging is one of the most significant demographic transformations in today's world. For the first time in human history, developed and developing countries—especially our beloved country—are facing a significant increase in the percentage of elderly individuals. This demographic transition, which began about a century ago in developed countries, is now occurring at a faster pace in countries like Iran. Projections indicate that by 1430 (according to the Iranian calendar), more than 30 million people in our country will be in the elderly age group.

Increasing life expectancy is a great human achievement, and we should regard it as an opportunity to enjoy life more fully and grow personally. However, from a macro perspective, these demographic changes can have widespread consequences for the economy, welfare system, health, and social structure of the country. If appropriate policies and infrastructure are not put in place to manage these changes, this trend could lead to a major crisis in healthcare, welfare, insurance, cultural-social issues, economic conditions, and even security.

Challenges Ahead and Our Responsibilities

Our country, like many others, faces significant challenges in this area. Ineffective policymaking and the lack of necessary infrastructure have caused us to lag behind some other countries in addressing this crisis. The National Seniors Council, which was established in 2004 by the Cabinet to organize senior citizens' affairs, has not been able to function effectively due to the absence of large-scale aging policies issued by the Expediency Discernment Council or a comprehensive law on the rights of the elderly passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Moreover, the strategic program of the National Elderly Document has not been implemented due to the lack of an appropriate executive structure, such as the National Seniors Organization, or other administrative structures suited to the responsibilities of executive agencies. Furthermore, the lack of a designated budget for aging issues has prevented its execution.

Today, we must, with a proper understanding of demographic changes and their consequences, draft macro policies on youth population and aging. To prevent social and economic crises, we need to focus simultaneously on increasing birth rates and improving the quality of life for the elderly. These two objectives are not only not contradictory but can complement each other through comprehensive and scientific planning.

Government Strategies for Managing Aging

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, recognizing the importance of this issue, has put forward comprehensive programs to address aging, including the following:

1. Dynamic and Sustainable Comprehensive Policy: The first step is to formulate and implement comprehensive and sustainable policies in the field of aging. We must learn from global experiences in facing the consequences of aging and, through a long-term yet dynamic approach, strengthen the health, welfare, and empowerment systems for the elderly.

2. Establishing a Monitoring and Surveillance System for Aging in Iran: To accurately depict the aging demographic, evidence-based policy-making, needs assessments, prioritization of programs and interventions, and monitoring of service providers' performance are necessary. Therefore, a comprehensive database on aging and an intelligent, real-time dashboard for managing programs and regulating agencies will be crucial.

3. Enhancing the Social Status of the Elderly: The elderly are a treasure trove of experience and wisdom. The government aims to enhance the social status of the elderly and create opportunities for their participation in society, thereby utilizing this valuable resource for improving well-being and promoting intergenerational connections.

4. Enhancing Social, Health, Welfare, and Insurance Services: The elderly need a comprehensive, targeted, and stratified set of services in social welfare, health, education, and insurance. The government is committed to expanding community-based models for aging and providing complete insurance coverage to ensure the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the elderly.

5. Promoting Research and Development in Aging: Research and development in aging are key to solving future challenges. Universities and research centers must produce domestic knowledge and provide practical solutions for dealing with aging-related challenges, with the support of the government.

6. International Cooperation: Aging is a global phenomenon, and we need to collaborate with other countries and international organizations to learn from the best practices and methods, adapting them to our own context to enhance the effectiveness of our aging system.

Conclusion

This seminar is a valuable opportunity for exchanging knowledge and experiences in the field of aging. We must use these gatherings to formulate comprehensive and scientific strategies in aging.

Only through synergy and cooperation between the three branches of government, public institutions, the private sector, academic centers, think tanks, scientific associations, and NGOs can we confront the challenges of aging and turn it into an opportunity for sustainable national development.

I hope that, with your collective wisdom and the full cooperation of relevant officials, we can find effective solutions to this significant challenge and create a bright and hopeful future for the elderly and youth of our country.

Wishing you all success and prosperity,

Mohammad Reza Aref
First Vice President