Nos reunimos aquí en Madrid para conmemorar el vigésimo aniversario de la Asamblea Mundial sobre el envejecer que se llevo acabo en Viena y cual produjo un plan de acción internacional que ha afectado el curso del pensamiento y de la acción en envejecer. También hemos venido a avanzar nuestros esfuerzos con el plan de acción 2002, que será adoptado al final de esta asamblea. 

Nuestro trabajo esta semana ha sido realzado grandemente por nuestros anfitriones principales el gobierno y la gente de España. A ustedes les ofrecemos nuestra gratitud y felicitaciones por su hospitalidad y por facilitar nuestro trabajo importante. 
 

Sr. Presidente

Las estadísticas de Naciones Unidas proyectan un aumento en esperanza de vida dando por resultado una proporción más grande de más viejas personas por todo el mundo. En 2050, 22 por ciento de los habitantes del mundo, la mayoría de quién son mujeres, serán 60 o más, aumentando esta población a 2 mil millones dé personas comparado a 600 millones actualmente. Por primera vez en la historia, se espera que la generación de abuelos viva para conocer a todos sus nietos. Aunque celebramos esto, también reconocemos que tal progreso
planteará desafíos serios para todos nosotros. 
 

En América latina y el Caribe, en donde nuestra población joven forma la grana mayoría, nuestra mejora en estándares de vida, incluyendo la nutrición y cuidádo médico ha resultado en un aumento de la esperanza de vida. Mientras que nuestro porcentaje de más viejas personas es actualmente más bajo que en otras regiones, continúa creciendo, creando un conocimiento de la necesidad de prepararnos para el inevitable. En el caso de mi propio pals, Bel ice, en donde mas viejas personas actualmenteformane el 6.8porciento de la poblacion, se esta proyectando que antes de 2025 este porcentaje doblara. 

Este cambio demografico afectara nuestras vidas y presentara ciertamente otros desafios para nosotros en Belice y en los otros poises en desarrollo. Mientras que nuestra poblacion joven disminuye y da lugar a una poblacion que envejece creciente nuestra economia y dinamica social experimentaran una transformacion drastica y dara lugar a un nuevo aprecio de nuestros ciudadanos mayores. 

To better appreciate the potential of our older citizens demands their inclusion in all aspects of our lives. In today's globalized world it is often the weakest who are the first to be caught in the wake of its fast pace. Older persons, who are among our most vulnerable must not only be protected, but also be made to participate in our economic and social lives. Their age must not be seen as a detriment to meaningful development, but celebrated as examples of determination and progress. Those aspects of our lives which have been enhanced by the presence of our older citizens; aspects such as the maintenance of the family unit, the conservation of our oral history and other traditions, serves as glowing examples of the potential possessed in our older citizens. We must build on this potential. 
 

Mr. President: 

Economic changes at the global level affect the quality of life of all ages of people in the developing world. The instability of markets translates into highly uncertain incomes and jobs. In the developing world our older citizens have too often been made to shoulder unfair amounts of the burdens of our underdevelopment. Left to care for the ,orphaned children of victims of HIV/AIDS; irresponsible teenaged behavior or young parents who migrate to more developed urban cities, they continue to contribute with little if any compensation. We must do more to reward their effort and protect them from this often abusive relationship.
 

Mr. President

There must be balance between the young and the old in order to sustain any country. Achieving this requires that everyone become active stakeholders in the process of governing and in their own development. Non-governmental organizations and governments must work hand-in-hand to effect meaningful change in the lives of older persons and the society on a whole. Governments must ensure that accessible and affordable health care exists for their elderly as well as social security and available credit. Additionally, governments need to promote and devise policies that will benefit older persons by affording them the opportunity to remain active members of their societies, working closely with their families and communities. The NGO Community can support Government's efforts by developing schemes that will utilize the talents and skills of older persons and help younger persons to value and appreciate the contribution of their elders. 

For us in Belize, the cooperation between NGO and Government is crucial to our own plan of action on ageing. Working on programmes specific to our older citizens, government provides funding for many of the outreach programmes managed by organizations like Help Age and the Salvation Army. This partnership, which has seen the development of places such as the Sister Cecelia Home, the Octavia Waight Home and the Golden Heaven Rest House, have resulted in a successful partnership that continues to grow. Through associations with
Church based organizations our ageing poor have been given access to adequate health care and other outlets for social activities. 

Of course we are aware that this in not enough. It is for this reason that our Government, through the National Poverty Elimination Strategy and Action Plan for 1998-2003 includes programmes in tourism and culture to provide opportunities to engage older persons, encouraging greater participation in Community Development. This is complemented by current policy in the Ministry of Human Development, which is in the final stages of a National Policy on Older Persons. This policy includes an Action Plan that is not only devoted to providing protection, care and residential services, but also to secure the involvement and participation of older persons in the overall development plan of Belize. 
 

Mr. President: 

We have entered this new era facing many challenges. To relive the pain and suffering of the many will require tremendous work and effort. The Millennium Declaration, which was signed by our leaders at the Millennium Summit in New York, has set for us some ambitious goals, goals we must accomplish. To do this will require the efforts of all our people, young and old alike. Let us leave no one behind so that together we may accomplish this most important endeavor. 
 

Thank you