By: United Nations
April 12, 2002

Following adoption this morning by the Main Committee of the draft Political Declaration and the International Plan of Action, 2002, three high-level officials of the Second World Assembly: its Vice President Ex Officio, Juan Jose Lucas; Minister of the Presidency of the Government of Spain; Chairman of the Main Committee, Felipe Paolillo (Uruguay); and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Nitin Desai, briefed correspondents. They stressed that the agreement on the final texts represented "a very successful conclusion" of the event. By adopting them this afternoon, the Assembly would endorse active measures to implement the concept of a "society for all ages" -- the theme of the Assembly. Providing some 120 recommendations on the subject of ageing, the Plan of Action made it clear that it was crucially important to incorporate ageing into all development plans. By adopting the texts, the Assembly would also express its commitment to active ageing through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, access to services, prevention of negative aspects of ageing and investment in social services and training of health officials.

Highlighting the main achievements of the Second Assembly in comparison with the First World Assembly on Ageing, held in Vienna 20 years ago, the speakers at today's press briefing said that the outcome documents were addressing the issue of ageing as the main demographic challenge of the twenty-first century. While the First Assembly had focused on the problems of ageing in the developed world, the current event attached high priority to the situation in developing countries, as demographic trends demonstrated that the phenomenon of ageing was intensifying there. There was new recognition that ageing was not simply an issue of social security and welfare, but of overall development and economic policy. Also stressed was the need to promote a positive approach to ageing and overcome the stereotypes associated with older persons.

Attaching great importance to mainstreaming -- incorporating policies on ageing into all aspects of economic and social life -- the Plan displayed a flexible approach to the issue of ageing, ensuring the right of older persons to continue working, should they choose to do so. It also proposed measures to strengthen inter-generational solidarity.

The Second Assembly also addressed the situation in a new group of States, represented by countries with economies in transition, the former Socialist countries. Another problem not encountered at the time of the First Assembly was the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its impact on older people. There was also a growing emphasis on the rising number of people over 80, who represented the "older old". Strong emphasis had also been placed on countering neglect and abuse of older people. Also addressed in the Plan were rehabilitation, promotion and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms and the role of the family, which should encourage solidarity and promote spiritual values.

It was emphasized during the press conference that most efforts in the implementation of the Plan of Action should be made at the national level. The international community has a responsibility to support capacity-building in countries to allow them to face the great demographic change in the new century. It is anticipated that the measures envisioned in the documents would be complemented by regional strategies and plans of actions to be approved by meetings, which will be held in follow-up to the Assembly.

Describing the negotiations on the texts, Mr. Paolillo said that although the process had been difficult at times, there had been a determination on behalf of all participants to ensure that older citizens could be increasingly active and involved in social life. All governments wanted to see their older citizens enjoying their old age in prosperity and good health. The successful conclusion of the Main Committee marked a culmination of preparatory work, which had begun more than a year before. While there were no differences of a conceptual nature, there had been disagreement regarding the emphasis to be placed on part of the text, the formulation of certain recommendations and the justification of recommended measures.

There were also several "somewhat delicate" political points, including the issue of armed conflict and "foreign occupation", he said. Fortunately, agreement was reached to include a reference to situations of armed conflict and foreign occupation with respect to the protection to be afforded to older persons in such circumstances. Such references were made in both documents.

A correspondent asked why it was necessary to convene the Assembly and what the plan proposed that countries could not do themselves.

Mr. Desai replied that the conference had been initiated by Member States, which were encountering similar challenges all around the world. The goal of the Assembly was to address the new demographic developments as a shared problem and opportunity. Countries came together to learn from each other and work out common solutions. The Assembly also provided for assistance and global cooperation in such areas as research and health care. Many issues were interconnected, and they required that ageing be placed in broader context.

On the same issue, Mr. Paolillo agreed ageing was a common problem for all countries of the world. That was the reason for organizing the Assembly. It was true that the main responsibility for tackling the issue lay with governments, but in many cases, they did not know how to tackle the complex challenges of a rapidly ageing population. The conference had benefited from important research by specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations, and its recommendations drew on their findings. The role of the Assembly was to provide governments with a blueprint for actions in the economic and social arenas.

Asked what role the question of the situation in the Middle East had played in the discussions, Mr. Paolillo said that irrespective of what was going on there, the situation of older persons in such complex situations as armed conflict needed to be addressed, as well as the issue of migrants. The language used was quite effective. The resolutions to be adopted today were binding not only legally, but also morally. The outcome documents were not only a political guideline for national policies in specific areas -- they also had spiritual and moral aspects.

Responding to several questions regarding the means of financing for the implementation of the Assembly's recommendations and mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of international support, Mr. Desai said that definite and significant financial commitments had been made only weeks before at the Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico. Significant increases in their aid in order to achieve the goals of the Millennium Declaration had been announced by several major donors, including the European Union and the United States. Now that additional resources were in place, it was important to connect them with effective programmes, including those recommended by the Assembly on Ageing, he said.

Most financing for social security, health and training programmes should come from domestic sources, he continued. The commitments made at Monterrey should be used for such purposes as assistance to least developed countries, creation of local infrastructures and capacity-building. It was also important not to overestimate the role of various agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system.

In response to a question about the follow-up to the recommended action, Mr. Desai said that the Commission for Social Development, a United Nations body, would be responsible for overseeing the follow-up and the implementation of the Plan of Action. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs would also continue to play its role in that respect.