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4 October 1999

Today and tomorrow, the General Assembly is devoting four meetings to a follow-up to the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, the theme of which is "Towards a society for all ages". As of now, 64 delegations plus the Holy See and eight non-governmental organizations are inscribed in the list of speakers for the two-day session. There is a 10-minute limit for statements. Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab is presiding.

The Assembly has before it a report of the Secretary-General entitled "International Year of Older Persons, 1999: activities and legacies" (A/54/268), and a draft resolution, A/54/L.6. The report summarizes selected activities in observance of the Year, and analyses the impact of the Year on the orientation and substantive content of the United Nations programme on ageing.

Under the 19-Power draft resolution, the Assembly would entrust the Commission for Social Development with revising the International Plan of Action on Ageing and elaborating a long-term strategy on ageing, based on new developments since 1982 – when the Plan was adopted – and on the experience of the International Year in 1999, with a view to adopting a revised plan of action and a long-term strategy on ageing in 2002; it would request the Commission to adopt a recommendation on the desirability and feasibility of convening, in 2002, a Second World Assembly on Ageing; and would note, with appreciation, Spain’s offer to host, if approved, the Second World Assembly on Ageing. Mr. Aurelio Fernandez of Spain is Chairman of the Commission.

Opening the meeting, the Assembly President said the theme of the Year was founded on the basic idea of inclusiveness and linked us to an earlier period of the evolution of society and community interdependence when older people were revered for their wisdom and as repositories of traditions, customs and past achievements. This was a welcome sign of a return to our roots and humanity. The significant steps taken by the General Assembly since the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing illustrated the importance Member States attached to the issue of ageing. The focal points established in 100 countries indicated that more and more nations were recognizing the significant increase in the population of their older citizens who were now living longer. The President said he was confident that the debate would be characterized by new ideas and a renewed commitment to the Proclamation in Ageing. Copies of his statement are available in room 378.

Also addressing the meeting was the Deputy Secretary-General, Mme. Louise Frechette. She recalled that last October when the Secretary-General launched the International Year, he said we were in the midst of "a silent revolution". She was pleased to say that the silence had been broken. The many activities undertaken this Year by various actors were all in pursuit of one goal: highlighting the issue of ageing and raising awareness of the implications of the demographic revolution for individuals and societies all over the world. Together they had done excellent work. The Year had helped put the ageing revolution in a more positive perspective. The investments made today would prevent imbalances and dependency later on, both for individuals and for ageing societies.

The Deputy Secretary-General concluded by saying: "The International Year of Older Persons was not supposed to be an end in itself but a springboard. Like any springboard, it can turn a bit of impetus into a great leap forward. It can give us the boost we need to create, in the next century, a society that is fuller and richer, and which relies on the participation of every individual and meets the needs of all its members, regardless of age. Let us not fail to seize this opportunity". Copies of her statement are available in room 378.

In the general debate that concluded on Saturday, the Assembly heard a total of 181 speakers. The complete list, with a breakdown, is available in room 378.

Summarizing the two-week debate, the Assembly President said the clarion call from delegations was the need to create a world of peace and security and the development of humankind. After touching on what he saw as the main issues debated, the President said it should be the business of this Assembly session to endeavour to find solutions to the questions raised. He hoped that in debates in Plenary and the Main Committees, delegations would bring to bear the concerns, hopes and aspirations expressed by all. Copies of this statement are available at the documents counter.

The President drew attention, on Saturday, to a revised programme of work of the plenary, contained in document A/INF/54/3/Add.1.

In Committee action, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today began a general debate, lasting four days, on all decolonization items. The Committee will also hear a number of petitioners.

At two meetings today, the Fifth Committee is considering items related to financing three peacekeeping operations. With the exception of the Kosovo operation, UNMIK, the Committee will take up the financing of all other peacekeeping missions in May.

In connection with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) and the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), a report of the Secretary-General (A/53/1018) responds to the findings, observations and recommendations made by the Office of Internal Oversight Services regarding irregularities in the procurement process in the two Missions, and provides details on corrective measures taken in response. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) will comment orally.

Concerning the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM), the Secretary-General reports on his efforts to recover the overpayment of mission subsistence allowance to civilian staff and military observers (A/53/1023). In its opinion (A/54/418), the ACABQ calls this a very complicated case, and recommends that the Assembly should take no action pending the outcome of the judiciary process.

As to the financing of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), the Secretary-General, in his report (A/54/380), is requesting Assembly approval to assess Member States in the amount of $7,078,900 gross ($5,591,600 net) for phase I of the Mission (covering the period from 5 May to 30 September). The balance $47.3 million has come from cash and in-kind contributions. The ACABQ recommends assessments of $7,155,000 gross ($5,667,700 net). With regard to preliminary estimates for phase II (the period from 1 September to 30 November), the Secretary-General asks the Assembly to grant him the authority to enter into commitments not exceeding $28,037,100 gross ($27,080,700 net). The ACABQ concurs with the preliminary estimates, while asking that the provision for 12 posts at Headquarters (6 P-4 and 6 General Service) be reviewed.

A reminder: Tomorrow, 5 October, the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Joseph Connor, will make a statement to the Fifth Committee on the financial situation of the United Nations, followed by an address by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Committee on the same subject. Mr. Connor will then brief correspondents at 1 p.m. in this room.

Copies of the President’s appointments for today are available in room 378 and on the Internet. This morning he met with Deputy Secretary-General Frechette. They reviewed the programme of work for the session, including the special sessions and the Millennium Summit. The President mentioned the special focus he intended to give to the plight of children. This was an initial meeting and the two will meet again to discuss issues in greater depth.