Madam Chair,

The Group congratulates you for your leadership and look forward to deliberations of the session which would contribute to the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons (based on the purpose of OEWGA).

2. We note with appreciation the work of the Open- ended Working Group on Ageing, and we recognize the positive contributions of Member States and other relevant actors, and we encourage Member States to continue presenting measures to enhance the promotion and protection of the human rights and dignity of older persons.

3. We reiterate the importance to cooperate, support and participate in the global efforts towards an age- inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to mobilize all necessary resources and support in that regard, according to national plans and strategies, by considering issues of relevance to older persons in their efforts to promote the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Madam Chair,

3 bis. The Group reaffirms the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 which provides a roadmap for addressing challenges of an ageing society and realization

of human rights of older persons. Member States should take legislative and policy measures in line with the Madrid Plan of Action to promote social, economic and emotional security for the older person. The Group stresses that enhanced international cooperation is essential to support developing countries in implementing the Madrid Plan of Action.

4. It is of utmost importance that we recognize the challenges related to the enjoyment of all human rights which older persons face in different areas. We believe that those challenges require in-depth analysis and concrete actions to address protection gaps. Member States must ensure the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for older persons, including by progressively taking measures to combat age discrimination, neglect, abuse, and violence, and to provide social protection, access to food and housing, health-care services, employment, legal capacity, and access to justice.

5. We would also like to emphasize the urgent need to ensure the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. In this regard, facilitating the development of robust health systems and universal health coverage is essential, by encompassing universal, timely, affordable, and equitable access to all essential health technologies, diagnostics, therapeutics, medicines, safe, quality, and effective vaccines, , in order to ensure full access to COVID-19 immunization for all older persons.

6. The Group recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on older persons, in particular older women, and that responses to the COVID- 19 pandemic need to respect their dignity, promote, and protect their human rights and address all forms of violence, discrimination, stigmatization, exclusion, inequalities, as well as neglect, social isolation and loneliness.

Madam Chair,

7. We would like to highlight that the G77 and China presents the annual resolution on the “Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing” in the Third Committee. Indeed, the purpose of this draft resolution has become even more relevant amidst the coronavirus pandemic which has, according to the report of the Secretary-General, accentuated the pre-existing inequalities, discrimination and challenges, faced by older persons. This resolution serves as a testament of the commitment of the international community to an age- inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

8. For an inclusive and resilient recovery from the pandemic, we believe that it is high time to intensify efforts towards identifying ageing as an opportunity. We also recognize the essential contribution that older persons can continue to make to the functioning of societies and towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It is therefore essential to ensure the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights.

I thank you.