IntroductionThis document was prepared by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE); - Population Division of ECLAC, in pursuance of ECLAC resolution 616(XXXI); of 2006 requesting preparation of the relevant substantive documentation for the second Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing (Brasilia, Brazil, 4 to 6 December 2007);. Its purpose is to present and analyse the information available on the demographic ageing process, the situation of the older adult population and the progress made by the countries in applying the Regional Strategy for the Implementation in Latin America and the Caribbean of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.