US, Oct. 27 -- Humanity is living longer than ever before. Advances in medicine, nutrition and public health have transformed longevity from an aspiration into a global reality. Yet while the world celebrates longer lives, it has paid far less attention to the quality, dignity and security of those additional years.

The greatest challenge of the twenty-first century is therefore not simply helping people live longer; it is ensuring that they live those extra years with rights, independence, care and respect.

By 2050, the global population aged 60 years and above is expected to reach around 2.1 billion people. More significantly, nearly four out of every five older persons will live in low- and middle-income countries across the Global ...