Commission for Social Development

Acting as Preparatory Committee for

Second World Assembly on Ageing

6^th Meeting (AM)

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ON WORLD AGEING ASSMEBLY ELECTS VICE CHAIR, REVIEWS TEXTS

The Commission for Social Development acting as the preparatory committee for the Second World Assembly on Ageing met in a resumed first session this morning to complete its Bureau and review three draft decisions on the United Nations Trust Fund for Ageing and arrangements for the participation and accreditation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Second World Assembly.

The Preparatory Committee is meeting for two days to continue preparations for the Second World Assembly, which will be held in Madrid, Spain from

8 to 12 April 2002.  Marking the twentieth anniversary of the First World Assembly, the Second Assembly will conduct a comprehensive review of the outcome of that event.  The event hopes to adopt a revised action plan and long-term strategy on ageing, to reflect the rapid demographic changes in the world, in the context of the theme of the 1999 International Year of Older Persons –- a society for all ages.

The draft decision under review on the United Nations Trust Fund would urge States, and public and private organizations, to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for Ageing and facilitate the fullest participation from least developed countries.  Similarly, the draft on arrangements for accreditation of NGOs to the World Assembly would, if approved and subsequently adopted, urge relevant United Nations bodies to assist those organizations in need of resources, particularly those from developing countries and countries with economies in transition.  If approved, the third text would allow NGOs to address the Assembly.

Sonia Felicity Elliot (Guyana), speaking on behalf of the

Group of 77 developing countries and China, announced plans to propose some amendments to the text on the Trust Fund for Ageing during informal consultations.

Aicha Afifi (Morocco), from the African Group of States, was elected Vice-Chairman today.  One vacant vice-chair position remains, to be filled by a candidate from the Eastern European Group.

Committee Chairman Felipe Paolillo (Uruguay) reminded delegations that they were not that far apart on approving the texts and urged them to reach a common position by the end of today.  Informal consultations would also be held on proposals regarding rules of procedure.  He also appealed to the Group of Eastern European countries to submit its candidate, in order to allow the Bureau to be complete by tomorrow.

The representative of Spain provided an update on preparatory activities.  He advised that a United Nations team last month visited the facilities for the event in Madrid.  An NGO forum would be held concurrently with the global conference.  An Internet Web page would continue to inform interested parties on activities related to the preparatory process and the event itself, including the organization of high-level round table discussions on major agenda items and parts of action plan. 

The Preparatory Committee for the Second World Assembly on Ageing will meet again at a time to be announced.

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