Date: Friday 7 Nov. 2025

Topic UN SESSION (UNITED NATIONS)
Speakers Bryan O’Young USA, Akiko Ito Japan, Gwendolyn Price USA, Mark Young, Areerat Suputtitada Thailand, Matthew Bartels USA, Brydie-Leigh Bartleet Australia, Chris Roberts United Kingdom, Hans Galutera USA

The United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have taken significant strides in tackling the pressing issues of loneliness and social isolation. A landmark achievement occurred during the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), when loneliness was officially recognized as a global public health priority. In a historic move in 2025, the WHO’s Executive Board addressed social isolation and loneliness as critical factors contributing to poor mental health for the first time.
The prevalence of social isolation and loneliness is alarming, with approximately one in four older adults experiencing social isolation and between 5% and 15% of adolescents feeling lonely. Extensive research has consistently shown that the effects of social isolation and loneliness can be devastating, impacting physical and mental health, diminishing quality of life, and reducing longevity. In fact, the influence of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to well-known risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
This session will provide a bird’s eye view of loneliness’s physical and psychological consequences. A distinguished panel of international experts from Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Kenya, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the USA will be participating. Notable UN officials will include Akiko Ito, Chief Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Motoo Kusakabe, former Vice-President of the World Bank for Resource Mobilization; and Josephine Ojambo, former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations in New York, as well as the Immediate Past Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. Together, they will present various innovative solutions addressing advocacy, adaptive sports, artificial intelligence, architecture, the arts, the cruise industry, culture, mental health, meditation, and music. After their insights, the floor will open for an engaging question-and-answer session.
The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) is firmly committed to collaborating with the United Nations to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, the UN Liaison Committee will conduct a vital session at the ISPRM annual conference, reinforcing ISPRM’s joint efforts to combat loneliness, promote resilience across all communities and support the UN SDG 2030.

Chair Bryan O’Young

11H15 Introduction. Bryan O’Young

11H20 Distress Call by the UN/WHO: Loneliness as a Health Threat and Social Concern. Akiko Ito

11H30 Loneliness in the Modern Society: Health and Social Ramifications. Bryan O’Young

11H40 Mindfulness Meditation in Loneliness: A Path to Healing. Areerat Suputtitada,

11H45 Age, Loneliness, Disability and Sport. Matthew Bartels

11H55 Creative Connections: How music can help address loneliness. Brydie-Leigh Bartleet,

12H00 Designing Belonging at Sea: Cruise Industry Solutions to Loneliness. Hans Galutera,

12H10 AGEISM AS AN A.S.S.E.T. – Advocacy in Supporting and Strengthening the Elderly & Youths amidst Totalities of the “LONELINESS EPIDEMIC”. Gwendolyn Price

12H25 DISCUSSION. Mark Young