On behalf of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud Al Qasimi, member of the Sharjah Executive Council and Head of Central Finance presents an honorary shield to Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director during the opening session of the forum 25 September, 2017, Sharjah – Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, visited the United Arab Emirates to attend the Sixth Elderly Services Forum on its opening day. The forum is taking place from 24 to 25 September 2017 at Al Qasimia University in Sharjah, organized by the Department of Social Services in the Government of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).  

The Forum is being held this year under the slogan “Age-Friendly Cities”, and a number of countries in the age-friendly cities network, founded by WHO, are participating. These cities have started to apply the standards expected for age-friendly cities that include 8 important foundations:

• outdoor areas and buildings
• transportation
• housing
• community participation
• social inclusion
• social participation and recruitment
• communications and community support
• medical services. 

An age-friendly city or community is a place where people want to grow older, and which fosters healthy and active ageing.

Rapid population ageing and expansion of urban areas are two demographic challenges that the world is currently facing. “WHO’s estimates show that 3 of every 5 persons are expected to live in urban areas by 2030. While the number of cities is increasing all over the world, their habitants are ageing. By 2015, the number of people who are over 60 will be doubled, with an increase from 11% to 22% of the world's population. The ageing population phenomena will be more challenging in rural areas, due to the movement of young people from these areas to cities," Dr Fikri said in his speech during the opening of the forum.

In order to encourage cities to implement initiatives to face these challenges, it is necessary to draw plans and develop policies that contribute to the provision of services, infrastructure and initiatives that can make cities suitable for all age groups, including older people, to live in.

"On this occasion, I would like to congratulate the Sharjah Emirate for having been the first Arab city to join the International Age-Friendly Cities network in September 2016. Services provided to elderly people have improved remarkably as a result of this international initiative, and I am happy to say that Sharjah demonstrates an exemplary model to be followed," noted Dr Fikri.