Sharjah becomes first Arab city to secure advanced affiliation in global age-friendly cities network

Sharjah has achieved a new global milestone by securing “advanced affiliation” within the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities – becoming the first Arab city to attain this level of membership. This is reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.

The recognition reflects the emirate’s long-standing commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of older residents and fostering an inclusive environment for all age groups. The upgrade from basic to advanced affiliation acknowledges Sharjah’s pioneering approach in applying international age-friendly standards and its role as a reference point for cities seeking to strengthen support systems for older people.

Over recent years, Sharjah has shared its expertise with partners across the region, including Oman and Kuwait, and exchanged experiences with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, underlining its leadership in this field.

Officials noted that the achievement embodies Sharjah’s human-centred development model, prioritising dignity, inclusion and social cohesion. The emirate has invested for decades in integrated initiatives and programmes designed to empower older people and ensure they can participate fully in community life.

Local leaders emphasised that advanced affiliation will expand Sharjah’s ability to contribute to international dialogue, support other cities in developing age-friendly strategies, and further enhance global recognition of the emirate’s progress. They noted that joining the network in 2016 enabled Sharjah to build comprehensive action plans and implement targeted measures to improve the quality of life for older residents.

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