Kozhikode Becomes Part of WHO’s Global Age-Friendly Cities Network

On May 2nd,2025, there was an official induction to the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Kozhikode. This acknowledgement demonstrates the city’s dedication to improving urban life for its elderly people by embracing inclusive policies and infrastructure, which will work towards the elder citizenry. The fact that Kozhikode is part of this group is a testimony to its aggressive efforts at enhancing accessibility, healthcare, and community solidarity for older individuals.

Context:

• Kozhikode has become a part of gets International Recognition WHO’s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities

• Focus Areas: To increase the amount of accessible public spaces, affordable housing, healthcare, community participation, and digital inclusion for seniors, the city plans to do so.

Key Points

• Kozhikode’s Inclusion in GNAFCC:

  • Kozhikode gauges its place in a global network of cities striving for age-friendly environments with enhanced elderly and related care and accessibility.

• Key Focus Areas:

  • An improvement in easy accessibility of public spaces, affordable housing, and healthcare access, and creating community-based support and digital inclusion for the elderly.

• WHO’s GNAFCC:

  • GNAFCC was founded in 2010, consisting of more than 50 countries, promotes policy innovation and involves elder citizens in urban governance.

• Kozhikode’s Initiatives:

  • Senior-friendly parks, community health services, active ageing workshops and information and support digital platforms.

• Significance for Kozhikode:

  • This Recognition makes Kozhikode stand among progressive cities which value enhancing quality of life for the older adults together with urban sustainability and inclusiveness.

Conclusion:

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s inclusion of Kozhikode in its global network of age-friendly cities is an important lesson along the road to coming up with an age-friendly urban atmosphere for older people. The emphasis on infrastructures that are easy to access, along with healthcare facilities and the participatory role of people, itself serves as a model not only for other cities of India, but also the world over, concerning giving the seniors a better quality of life. This initiative contributes to the larger vision of the sustainable and inclusive development of cities, benefiting not only seniors but the entire community.

UPSC Prelims PYQ

Q. Which of the following statement is correct about Kozhikode WHO’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities:

• Kozhikode is now a member of WHO’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities showing its investment in enhancing urban life of senior citizens.
• Raising the accessibility of public places, healthcare, housing and digital inclusion will be among the city’s efforts to support the elderly population.
• The GNAFCC was founded by the World Health Organization in 2015.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. 1 only

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q.1 Discuss about the importance of Kozhikode’s induction in to WHO’s global network of age-friendly cities and communities. What does the award imply for the process of urban sustainability development and the inclusiveness among the elderly people? (150–200 words)