Age-structural transitions and present and future development goals

The Internationally Agreed Development Goals (IADGs) are a set of specific, time-bound goals agreed on by the Member States of the United Nations during the global summits and conferences held since 1990. The development agenda of the United Nations addresses the challenges of economic growth, social progress and sustainable development, and IADGs are often translated into national development agendas. As such, it is important to consider to what extent IADGs consider demographic aspects, and the relationship they have with the age-structural transitions underway in most Arab countries. For example, it should be considered whether they focus any attention on key population groups in the age-structural transition, such as youth or older persons, and address their needs and potentials. Equally, it is important to see how agestructural transitions in Arab countries can assist in meeting development goals. Finally, in the context of ongoing discussions on the future of the United Nations development agenda beyond 2015, the MDG end date, there is a need to consider how these new goals can take age-structural transitions into account.

Related Subject(s): Population and Demography