PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR AGEING ASSEMBLY APPROVES PARTICIPATION OF 26 NGOS; DECIDES TO HOLD INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING FROM 7 TO 18 JANUARY

Commission for Social Development

Acting as Preparatory Committee for

Second World Assembly on Ageing

9^th Meeting (PM)

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR AGEING ASSEMBLY APPROVES PARTICIPATION OF 26

NGOS; DECIDES TO HOLD INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING FROM 7 TO 18 JANUARY

The Commission for Social Development acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Second World Assembly on Ageing this afternoon approved the participation of 26 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the work of the preparatory committee and the Second World Assembly, which is scheduled to be held in Madrid, Spain from 8 to 12 April. 

The representative of Algeria said the list of NGOs, contained in document E/CN.5/2001/PC/5, should have been prepared and distributed to the Committee in late October for thorough consideration.  She hoped that, in the future, deadlines for documentation would be observed.

Turning to the previous week’s consultations on the outcome document for the Second World Assembly, Chairman Felipe Paolillo (Uruguay) said that even though some progress had been made, he was not entirely satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.  While it had been encouraging that the Preparatory Committee had been able to read through a little more than half of the outcome document, he was alarmed at how much work remained to be done before the final preparatory session, 25 February to 1 March 2002.  To that end, he proposed that the Committee hold an inter-sessional meeting from 7 to 18 January 2002.

He went on to say that the days of the session would be devoted to achieving different objectives.  The first three days, 7 to 9 January, would be devoted to group meetings.  From 10 to 16 January, the Committee would hold informal consultations on the outcome document.  Finally, 17 and 18 January would be set aside for a meeting of the Commission on Social Development.  Since those requests had not been included in the approved calendar of meetings, it was understood that interpretation services would be provided only on an “as available” basis.

When the floor was opened for comments on the proposal, several delegations expressed concern that the dates conflicted with other meetings being held at headquarters.

After a brief suspension for informal discussions, the Chairman informed the Committee that the Secretariat had been unable to find any other dates or meeting space at Headquarters that would accommodate the work that needed to be done.  He appealed to delegations to adapt their schedules accordingly, no matter the inconvenience, in order to continue consideration of the Madrid conference’s

9^th Meeting (PM)

outcome document.  He urged negotiating groups to submit their proposals and amendments for inclusion in the document by 10 January.  A consolidated text would be distributed as soon as possible.

The Committee concluded its work by taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, Towards the Second World Assembly on Ageing (document E/CN.5/2001/PC/L.2).

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.

Participating in the preparatory meeting this afternoon were the representatives of Guyana, United States, and Belgium.

Preparations for the Second World Assembly on Ageing will resume on 7 January 2002.

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