UN Secretary- General, 
Opening Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid, Urges Plan of Action to build a Society for all ages...

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The International Plan of Action must reaffirm that older persons have to be given the possibility to continue to contribute productively to society, including their labour market participation, as long as they wish. Flexibility and diversification of opportunities, within a framework of rights, is particularly important. It is essential to fight against any exclusion or discrimination on grounds of age, to encourage life-long learning, to promote flexible and progressive retirement, to reinforce the measures to increase labour participation of women, as well as the promotion of health, economic and social security, adaptability and employability.

Social protection systems constitute one of the fundamental cornerstones of social cohesion. The EU has committed itself to reinforcing social cohesion and combating social exclusion. Achieving healthy and active ageing also requires that the International Plan of Action gives priority to strategies for promotion of healthy life styles. We must reaffirm the primary responsibility of governments to ensure the provision of universal and equal access to efficient social and health care services. The key role played by families, volunteers, communities and organizations of older persons must be acknowledged. The inclusion of a gender perspective is also essential. The objectives of the revised International Plan of Action require effective collaboration between local and national governments, international agencies and other organizations, and other actors of civil society, including NGOs, as well as an effective monitoring process to be developed by the United Nations.

LUIS ALFONSO DAVILA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China: It is important that the Plan of Action to be adopted constituted a document focusing on the needs of the older persons, especially in developing countries. The Millennium Summit was a landmark event which compels us to rethink the role of the United Nations in order to act consistently to the goals set by the Millennium Declaration. To achieve the development goals, we need practical institutions. The President of Venezuela at the Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey, Mexico, has proposed an international humanitarian fund to break the vicious cycle of poverty among the elderly.

Ageing in the world is a reality that requires major attention from the entire international community. We propose the creation of a body similar to the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF), devoted to realizing the aspirations of the ageing. It is also crucial in this context to confront problems such as the foreign debt; 10 per cent of the foreign debt of the developing world; and 10 per cent of the military expenditure of the world could be used to finance the international humanitarian fund. It is also necessary to take care of the special needs of the elderly who find themselves in armed conflicts or under occupation. The challenges of globalization in developing countries have a great impact, and the obstacles to the total participation of developing countries in the world economy translate into fewer resources for social programmes. We must reverse this situation if we want to ensure the elderly have equal opportunities. It is essential for developed countries to comply with their official development assistance (ODA) commitments.

The contribution of the elderly is very often ignored. Today, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has highlighted the situation of grandparents taking care of AIDS orphans. We must eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination of the elderly. The International Plan of Action contains important provisions in that regard. Preventive and rehabilitative care will contribute to guaranteeing the full potential of the elderly to the benefit of society. The Group of 77 and China is particularly concerned with the situation of elderly women. It is therefore important that policies and programmes include a gender-specific perspective to guarantee that their specific needs are addressed. All those elements need to be reflected in the 2002 International Plan of Action.

MOSES MACHAR KACUOL, Vice-President of Sudan: Adopting a comprehensive Plan of Action on Ageing would reinforce the political will of all nations to enhance the situation of the world's elderly. In all the work being done here this week, it will be particularly important to remember the world's economic situation. The debt situation and the current lag in ODA contributions is negatively affecting the world's poorest countries, particularly regarding their efforts to sustain their development programmes. This in turn will have a negative effect on efforts to implement international programmes and policies on ageing.

Sudan guarantees equal participation in society at all levels, regardless of age, and made every effort to raise the level of prosperity and to enhance participation of all age groups. My Government has established national action plans and committees to promote security for the elderly. We have always regarded elderly persons in a positive manner, particularly because of the place and influence within the family structure. Such persons are indeed the "educational institutions" to which the youth can turn.

Elderly persons are family cornerstones. Family care is the basis of the country's elder-care system. Scientific and research communities also pay particular attention to the situation of older persons. Educational and cultural institutions have also shown interest in the history of older persons, particularly as their experiences can help address current situations in the country. The Government is endeavouring to broaden insurances schemes. It has begun to pay insurance subscriptions to welfare funds. We are also creating micro-credit schemes.

We call on the international community to pay particular attention to the situations of all older persons throughout the world. We renew our call for support to developing countries and least developed countries to help implement the Plan of Action adopted by the Assembly. Those efforts can be enhanced with the establishment of an international fund for ageing in developing countries. Moreover, the Government of the Sudan calls on the world community to give due attention to the situation of elderly in armed conflict, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories. We call for an immediate cessation of violence there and for all to work for peace in the region.

CECILIA V.L. BANNERMAN, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment of Ghana: Population ageing is becoming an issue of concern in Ghana, in view of its social and economic implications for national development. It is anticipated that very soon there will be a significant increase in the dependent population due to the growth in the number of older persons, higher birth rates and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The economically active group will therefore be unable to support and cater for the rapidly increasing dependent population.

In reaction to the challenges of the ageing society, the Government of Ghana has developed a national policy on ageing. Poverty, poor nutrition and housing, as well as limited access to health facilities have been identified as some of the major problems faced by older persons throughout the country. Older persons' role in society should be recognized and rewarded, and their rights respected. The policy emphasizes the importance of improving the quality of life in old age, promoting healthy ageing and supporting community care. Also promoted are mental health and the special needs of older women.

The significance of cultural differences in the perception and treatment of old age is an issue my delegation would like to emphasize. Among other critical issues to be addressed are the problems of poverty and social unrest. We urge that due cognizance be taken of multicultural diversity and economic disparity among countries in designing programmes and strategies to address the issue of global ageing. Similarly, efforts have to be made to stop negative traditional and cultural practices and beliefs.

In our quest to enhance social, economic and cultural well-being of older persons, we are constrained by inadequate institutional structures, limited financial resources and lack of human capacity. Income security for older persons is a general concern in Africa, including Ghana, in view of the existence of a large and expanding informal sector, which is largely not covered by social security and pension schemes. The Government is therefore making efforts to develop appropriate and comprehensive pension plans.

SAMOULLAH LAUTHAN, Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizen Welfare and Reform Institutions of Mauritius: One of the great challenges at the dawn of the new millennium is undoubtedly the phenomenon of population ageing. We must realize that the serious moral implications of the ageing revolution engenders strong moral obligations. International efforts to ensure the place of the world's elderly should go beyond what will be achieved in Madrid. Time is of the essence and only bold action will justify our presence here today. Ageing is a multidimensional and complex phenomenon that required an equally multidimensional response.

It is expected that the elderly will represent 21 per cent of the population of Mauritius by 2027. However, my country is convinced that the phenomenon will not cause a problem or detract in any way from efforts to maintain all-around development and social programmes. The Government has set in place a comprehensive social policy that promotes the principle of ageing with dignity. Mauritius is one of the first African countries to have established such a plan. The policy aims to ensure, among other things, empowerment, security, independence and involvement in decision-making. The Government has also set up a national fund for the elderly, which has overseen the creation of national day-care centres, the institution of flu vaccine campaigns and establishing a programme in which the elderly share their valuable experiences with youth and NGOs.

Still, we realize we have a long way to go. Mauritius would like to make a special appeal to privileged nations to empower Africa and other underprivileged nations to promote the welfare, health and security of the elderly. Let us not think of our work as a favour to the elderly. We are only doing our duty to our grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts and uncles.

AMINATA TALL, Minister of Social Development and National Solidarity of Senegal: The world population is older than it has ever been. Ageing remains one of the major challenges of the third millennium. There has been a considerable increase of older persons in our region. By the year 2015, the older population will be 11 per cent of the total population. Ageing is a matter that Senegal must address.

As our society has become more modern, this has led, paradoxically, to a breakdown of the traditional respect for older persons. Today, they are victim of the insecurity of our society. Because of a lack of resources, about 70 per cent of them are dependent on the family. Because of the economic crisis, older persons suffer from increased marginalization. In the health sector, there is a lack of qualified staff covering geriatrics. However, we view ageing not as a problem, but rather as an opportunity to harness the experience of older people. Their self-denial and patriotism have contributed to building our nation. In Senegal, the focus is on safeguarding our collective heritage and the input of older persons, and to ensure the active input of all generations in building a social consensus.

Senegal has committed itself to establishing the conditions necessary for the development of older persons to live a full life in their communities. We have sought to focus on the role of the elderly in society, including issues such as tax exemptions. We have focused on social issues and adopted guidelines for the status of older persons. We have updated our protection system and improved access for the elderly to health care services, the national anti-poverty programme and social development programme. We have also endorsed the position that age is not a factor, it is our attitude to age that matters. We therefore encourage inter-generational solidarity. Age is not something to be seen fatalistically. We must focus on the principle of ageing actively and in good health. We must put a stop to negative images of age. Older persons are a precious resource that can contribute towards a more just society.

ALEJANDRA FLORES, Director for the National Programme for the Elderly of Guatemala: In Guatemala, as in many other countries, the phenomenon of ageing has created a precarious situation. Elder adults suffer many ills, exacerbated by current economic and development constraints. The elderly have little access to basic services, and they often suffer from marginalization and family or institutional mistreatment. That is why all efforts to improve their lot should be centred on reform of social policies and programmes.

In Guatemala, substantial reform is under way. The social policy plan of 2000-2004 has been created to carry out initiatives and programmes for the elderly at the national level. Furthermore, in 2002 a law has been adopted to ensure the protection of the elderly and to address the duties of institutions that generally oversee the promotion of their rights. National plans have been established in other areas of business and society. Such plans particularly aim to incorporate the experience of the elderly at all levels and strengthen inter-generational links. The almost total lack of information on the real effects of rapid populations growth is hampering many efforts, however. Still, Guatemala is committed to beginning a process of research on the issues of ageing and relevant consequences, that will ensure that the complex situation of the elderly is given due consideration.

The country's basic strategy will be to make the entire population aware of the phenomenon. We do recognize, however, that in some sectors of the population, respect for the elderly is the norm. We shall carry out multi-sectoral awareness campaigns at the national level with the goal of promoting respect and the establishment of basic services and valuing their important contributions. The holding of the Second World Assembly was a singular opportunity to achieve concrete action on behalf of the elderly in every country.

SILVIA GASCON, Secretary of Social Development of Argentina: Twenty years after Vienna, the Second World Assembly on Ageing is now focusing on the South, on the developing countries. In 1982, most of the elderly lived in the developed countries. This is changing rapidly. Whereas developed countries had grown older gradually, in the developing world this is happening rapidly. Where the developed countries were rich, the developing world is poor. Argentina is an unequal country. The trickle-down theory of development has never worked. Equality and solidarity have taken on a new dimension for us, with a need for greater opportunity to achieve a society for all ages. Because of globalization, people-centred development and solidarity between nations is needed. In Argentina today, the elderly, who had grown up in prosperity during the fifties, are ageing in poverty. Social services, to which they had become accustomed, have diminished as Argentina faces an unprecedented financial crisis.

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