The Policy of «Silver Diplomacy» as a Response to Demographic Changes in International Relations

The article is dedicated to the examination of the concept of silver diplomacy as a foreign policy strategy in response to global demographic transformations, primarily focusing on population aging. In a context where the proportion of elderly citizens (aged 65 and over) is rapidly increasing in both developed and developing countries, the age factor is beginning to exert a significant influence on the domestic and foreign policy of states. The author demonstrates that the aging of society transforms foreign policy priorities, reduces the potential for military intervention, and enhances the emphasis on stability, humanitarian agendas, and social inclusivity. In this context, a new paradigm is emerging, referred to as silver diplomacy, which is defined as a set of international practices aimed at protecting, engaging, and mobilizing the potential of older citizens in transnational and global politics. The article identifies several structural elements of this form of diplomacy. The author argues for the need to institutionalize silver diplomacy through the establishment of national strategies, international agreements, and the creation of new formats for diplomatic interaction, including «silver tracks». In this context, a critical analysis of the risks is conducted, including the infantilization of the elderly as a passive group, the politicization of age identity, and the unequal distribution of resources between the Global North and the Global South. The author concludes that with a comprehensive approach and recognition of the agency of the elderly population «silver diplomacy» can become an essential element of humanization and justice in the international relations of the 21st century.