Sharjah 24: 132 government and private entities have signed the "Age Friendly Charter", from 2017 until now, according to Sharjah Age Friendly City office, affiliated with Sharjah Social Services Department.

The parties that should renew commitment (after 3 years) are being addressed to reconfirm their commitment to adopting Sharjah as an age-friendly city and an optimal environment for living, as many government departments and bodies in Sharjah signed the Chart.

Asmaa Al Khodari, director of Sharjah Age Friendly City office, stated that the office worked on preparing a commitment document to take age into account. The document targets various institutions to find an application tool to confirm that they will adopt the standards of age-sensitive cities in eight aspects identified by the World Health Organization.  She added that institutions must work to meet such aspects, each according to their specialisation and available capabilities, which will have a direct impact in introducing and presenting practical programmes and initiatives suitable for all ages.

Asmaa Al Khodari said that the initiative is based on the insightful vision and wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to make Sharjah an age-friendly environment, and to help residents receive the best services, programmes and infrastructure that achieve their well-being and lead to a safe and happy life during their golden age.

Sharjah joined the global age-friendly network in September 2016.

Asmaa Al Khodari added that the document aims to endorse and adopt the idea of creating a comprehensive sustainable physical, health, social, economic and urban environment that allows senior people to benefit from resources easily and smoothly to achieve a healthy life, by providing services or programmes or developing the infrastructure of the Emirate.

Asmaa Al Khodari concluded that it is necessary to support the continuity of Sharjah’s membership in the global network of age-friendly cities by fulfilling the requirements of the standards of age-friendly cities and raising employees awareness about the culture of ageing and the concepts of age-friendly cities, and Sharjah age-friendly city programme.