SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING WOULD BE HELD APRIL 2002 IN SPAIN UNDER TERMS OF TEXT APPROVED BY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Press Release
SOC/4534

SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING WOULD BE HELD APRIL 2002 IN SPAIN UNDER TERMS OF TEXT APPROVED BY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Also Approves Text on Special Rapporteur on Disability; Establishes Working Group to Revise International Plan of Action on Ageing

The General Assembly would decide to hold the Second World Assembly on Ageing in Spain in April 2002, according to the terms of a draft text approved this evening without a vote, by the Commission for Social Development.

The world gathering would focus on areas including links between ageing and development, public/private partnership and measures to strengthen inter-generational solidarity, review the outcome of the first World Assembly (Vienna, 1982), revise the International Plan of Action on Ageing and a long- term strategy in the context of a society for all ages, with the Commission as preparatory body (document E/CN.5/2000/L.3).

By another text adopted this evening, also without a vote, the Commission decided to establish an in-session open-ended working group, during its 2001 and 2002 sessions, devoted to revising the International Plan of Action and elaborating a strategy on ageing, to present at the Second World Assembly (document E/CN.5/2000/L.4).

The Commission also approved a text, introduced by the Commission Vice-Chairman Jaminska Dinic (Croatia), by which the Economic and Social Council would renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on disability of the Social Development Commission through the year 2002, so that the results of his work to promote and monitor implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities would be available to the fourth quinquennial review and appraisal of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. The General Assembly adopted the 22 Standard Rules in 1993 and they provide a framework for equality and participation of disabled persons in social life and development.

By other terms, the Council would urge governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to raise awareness of and support for the Standard Rules and to consider taking further initiatives, particularly for the human rights of persons and children with disabilities and their families, gender aspects, and the situation of persons with developmental and psychiatric disabilities, focusing on their integration into society. The Council would

Commission for Social Development - 2 - Press Release SOC/4534 9th Meeting (Night) 17 February 2000

also urge governments to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons (3 December), and encourage international support for the African Decade of Disabled People (2000 to 2009) (document E/CN.5/2000/L.6)

In each case, the Commission acted after being informed of the related budgetary implications.

Speaking in explanation of position in two interventions, the representative of the United States said his delegation had joined the consensus on the Second World Assembly based on the understanding that there would be no budgetary implications. Regarding the text on disabled persons, his delegation had joined the consensus, but could not support the third preambular paragraph, because it affirmed obligations that not all States supporting the resolution had contracted. He reaffirmed the will of the United States to promote the rights of disabled persons.

Comments on the texts were made by the representatives of Spain, Pakistan and Syria.

The Commission then suspended the meeting to allow for informal consultations. It will meet again to conclude its thirty-eighth session at a time to be announced.

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