International conference on demographic sustainability held in Sofia

"Overcoming the demographic problem must be a serious responsibility" - with these words President Rumen Radev opened the international conference dedicated to demographic sustainability, which is being held on December 1 and 2 in Sofia.

The UN has highlighted the possibility of more flexible labour market solutions that allow adults to stay longer in the labour market.

At the opening of the forum, President Rumen Radev thanked the UN Population Fund and stressed that the population is the main driving force for progress.

"Technological development is the core of a new reality. Today we are witnessing unprecedented global demographic dynamics and many countries in Europe and Central Asia, including Bulgaria, are facing the challenge of aging society. This fact has a strong impact on the basic systems of their societies. - the economy, education, health and social protection," said Rumen Radev. "Despite these trends, we are obliged to turn the challenge into new opportunities."

According to the head of state, a vision is needed to ensure fair and sustainable solutions. It includes issues of a strong and functioning economy, employment, high quality education and a special focus on children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

"Unfortunately, the outbreak of COVID-19 has completely changed the world. It is our test of healthcare and welfare systems, as well as economic and social sustainability," said Rumen Radev. "This will leave a deep imprint. Dealing with this crisis will be very important for the successful recovery and revitalization of our lives, social contacts and economy. In the long run - this is an opportunity for us to build a better society."

Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General and Chairman of the Sustainable Development Group, said that demographic change is one of the five mega-trends affecting our world.

"Demographic change cannot be overcome quickly in a short time, but it can create a smart and sustainable policy," Mohammed said. Every person is valuable. Governments need to have the data, with which they invest in human development and human potential, as well as investment in universal protection of the society, in decent work and housing.”

UN Under-Secretary-General and Director of the Population Fund, Dr Natalia Kanem, said the low birth rate was a cause for concern and called for help for the most vulnerable groups.

"We can help the elderly to contribute to the lives of their families, in the community, in society. We need to reach out to minorities, refugees and other groups that are pushed out of the general flow that is on the periphery. They need to reach their full potential," Kanem said.

Dr. Andreas Edel, executive secretary of the European Population Fund, emphasized that aging babies are considered a weight of the pension system.

"In fact, they are a resource of human capital. We need to find more flexible solutions in the labour market that allow adults to stay in it longer. We need to create more jobs that are more favourable to adults. We must also ensure that education is more accessible - especially in crises such as today's pandemic," said Dr. Andreas Edel. "Our societies will become more diverse. Policies for the future must meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. We are becoming a society of growing diversity."

Caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Galab Donev, commented that the pandemic has hit the health systems and has deepened the existing inequalities even more.

"The virus has affected people who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Bulgaria's demographic characteristics include both aging and population decline - at a very rapid pace. Therefore, Bulgaria's demographic strategy is about understanding that efforts must be focused. not only to promote the birth rate, but also to invest in people, to create conditions for the development of their human talent," Donev said.

According to the Minister of Social Affairs, the pension, health and social systems need to be adapted and strengthened in order to provide more public resources. We are facing a socio-economic reality in which aging will be perceived as a new opportunity for realization. In this regard, the silver economy is a concept that offers solutions for the future, he added.

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