Thank you, Chairman.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

I wish to thank the Secretary General for convening this Assembly and the President, Vice-Presidents as
well as all others who have been involved in the preparation for the Assembly on such an important
issue.

It is very gratifying for me - as Minister for Social Affairs and Gender Equality - to see the issue of ageing
on the global agenda now 20 years after the first Assembly in Vienna and the first global Plan of Action.

Danish ageing policy has already addressed the many issues mentioned in the Vienna Plan of Action. The
challenge is now to keep up the process of developing a sustainable ageing policy.

It is important to take this issue seriously not least because of the demographic development. The increase
in life expectancy is an achievement but also creates challenges. Therefore it is high time that all issues
related to ageing are highlighted on the global agenda.

Allow me to comment on a few:

The full protection and promotion of fundamental human rights is a priority for all - regardless of age.
I am in full agreement that men and women must have the same opportunities and enjoy the same quality
of life during old age with regard to health promotion, to social protection and the right to work and
to leisure when they wish.
Special regard should, however, be given to older women because of their situation and longer life
expectancy.

Chairman,
I wish to underline that the very old is not a homogeneous group, but a group with different individual
needs.
The weak older people may have very complex healthrelated problems. We therefore have to make sure
that older people in our societies have well-established access to the health sector and that the health
sector will co-operate with other sectors in society.
Co-operation on preventive and rehabilitation measures for older people is a good example also when it
comes to care for the weakest and those suffering from dementia.
The theme of the UN International Year for Older People "A Society for All Ages" has put older persons'
issues in a wider context.

It is possible to pay due attention to solidarity between generations and to involve families, volunteers,
older people's organisations and communities together with other public authorities when establishing
acceptable standards and services for older people.

I have very much confidence in the initiatives taken by the EU to give priority to a global strategy also on
ageing matters. The strategy ensures policies and practices also in favour of older persons' full and active
participation in society.
This is a policy issue which is of major importance
How to organise a policy for older people where
participation and co-determination are corner stones.
Older people should never automatically be regarded as weak only because they are old. Older People
have resources and may contribute to society in a positive and constructive way even towards the later
years of life. And ways to carry through such participation policy is high on the Danish agenda.
In Denmark older people have a say on their own issues through senior citizens councils established at
local level. This system helps provide a constructive debate together with the older people's organisations,
which are quite strong in Denmark.
So activation, co-responsibility, and the use of older people's own resources are key words in ageing
policy in Denmark.
The view that older people automatically are regarded as ill or weak shall never dominate. It is therefore
my hope that this Assembly will send a clear signal for older people to participate more direct in decision
making procedures.

Chairman,

To conclude I wish to remind you that Denmark is taking over the EU presidency in less than 3 months
and that we shall look forward to undertaking this important task to the best of our ability.

Older people will be an important part of the work which has to be carried out in order to implement and
consolidate the strategy on combating poverty and social exclusion, to
secure financially sustainable pensions, and to secure access to proper care.

These issues are of great importance to the Danish Government, and we will do our best to keep them on
the agenda.

Thank you very much, Chairman.