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Introduction

• As of recent data, Penang is the second largest state with a significant elderly population, with 7.7% of its residents aged 65 and above. This percentage is above the benchmark of 7% used to classify a state as "ageing" (Source: Statistics Department Malaysia, 2023).
  
  
• The United Nations has defined three categories of ageing: an ageing society (7%), an aged society (14%) and a super-aged society (20%), which refer to a population aged 65 years.
  
  
• Based on Principal Statistics of Population, Administrative District, Pulau Pinang, 2020-2023 by Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the population aged 65 years and over for 2023 has reached to 7.7%. By this statistic, Penang has reached a status of ageing society.
  
  
• https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/network/penang-island/  

Age-Friendly City (AFC) is a framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) by considering and prioritising the needs of elderly adults. It is a place where people of all age groups can live, work, and participate in social, economic and cultural activities with dignity, autonomy and respect. MBPP is now at cycle 1: phase 3 where we are finalising our Age-friendly city action plan for 2024-2025 and our target is to publish and disseminate the AFC Action plan by August 2024.

MBPP as the Project Implementer has collaborated with the Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) as the Project Manager and the Malaysian Healthy Aging Society (MHAS) as the Project Consultant to make Penang an Age-Friendly City.

https://pwdc.org.my/

https://healthyageing.org/afc-penang/

MBPP has been part of the Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities since 28 July 2023 and the following is a Membership Certificate from World Health Organization related to the recognition.

1. WHO proposes eight interconnected domains that can help to identify and address barriers to well-being.

2. These domains will help MBPP prioritise the creation of an environment that promotes active and healthy ageing.

3. They encourage intergenerational connections and foster a sense of community by organising events and activities that bring people of different ages together.

4. Even though MBPP have set 4 priority domains which are Housing, Respect and Social Inclusion, Communication & Information, and Health Services & Community Supports for 2024, we are also implementing the other 4 domains together which encompass Outdoor Spaces & Buildings, Transportation, Social Participation, and Civic Engagement & Employment.

The MBPP Strategic Action Plan Engagement Session for Age-Friendly Cities was held 3 times, 12-13 December 2022, 9-10 January 2022 and 2-3 December 2023 involving Government Agencies, communities and also NGOs to collect relevant inputs, opinion and ideas before being coordinated and included in the Age-Friendly City Strategic Action Plan. 
MBPP Srategic Action Plan Engagement Session for AFC

The 8 Area of Age Friendly City

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings	Transportation	Housing	Social Participation
Respect and Social Inclusion	Civic Participation and Employment	Communication and Information	Community Support and  Health Services

	Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Optimize usability of outdoor spaces and buildings for older persons.
	Transportation Increase access to and awareness of affordable, safe, and equitable mobility options for older persons in all parts of Penang Island.
	Housing Improve choice, quality, affordability, and housing stability for older persons.
	Social Participation Promote diverse and accessible opportunities for participation and engagement of older persons age 60.
	Respect and Social Inclusion Uphold all older persons ages 60 as valuable members and provide equitable resources for the community.
	Civic Participation and Employment Connect older persons with resources that help them achieve their diverse employment and career transition goals.
	Communication and Information Awareness and access to available services and supports for older persons and their families will increase for everyone.
	Community Support and Health Services Ensure the community has accessible and affordable resources to support individual health and well-being goals throughout the ageing process.