The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Policy and United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine. It was attended by UNFPA Acting Representative Pavlo Zamostian, representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy including Deputy Minister Vitaly Muschynin, representatives of other central executive bodies and international organizations.

As Pavlo Zamostian noted in his welcoming remarks "If demographic dynamics stays unchanged, by 2050, every third Ukrainian will reach older age and these 30% of the population should be seen primarily as an enormous potential. That is why UNFPA is ready to continue to support the Ministry of Social Policy and contribute to popularization of the concept of "active longevity. "

 The participants noted that the social policy on older persons in Ukraine is focused on expanding their rights and opportunities, as required by international principles of "active ageing". The following practical steps were developed:

- Strengthening legal protection of older persons;

- Ensuring a decent standard of life of older persons and providing them with the necessary support;

- Promoting the role of families in caring for older persons;

- Organizing efficient social services and psychological support for older persons;

- Promoting feasible employment of older persons to ensure their equal access to vocational guidance, training and retraining.

Vitaly Muschynin emphasized that despite the financial and economic crisis in the country the Government has provided timely payment of pensions. In order to improve the living standards of older persons measures to promote the employment of this category of the population are being implemented.

Today Ukraine has an extensive network of institutions and agencies providing social services amounting to around 2 thousand, including those providing services to older persons.

The Ministry has developed a new version of the Law of Ukraine "On Social Services" which was approved by the Government on September 16. The participants were also informed that the Ministry of Social Policy in cooperation with UNFPA began to develop inter-sectoral National Action Plan on ageing population in Ukraine.