Mr. Chairman,

Let me first thank Ambassador Paolillo for his excellent work during the long and difficult negotiation process at the Preparatory Committee and the countless informal consultations and extended bureau-meetings he has conducted.

Mr. Chairman,

While recognising the Vienna Action Plan as an excellent document, that was ahead of its time in 1982, the Madrid Assembly will hopefully adopt a new Action Plan on Ageing that will provide a global framework from which policy response to demographic change, one of the major challenges of the 21st century, will flow. 

In the follow-up to Madrid the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe will hold a Ministerial conference in Berlin in September, that will adopt an implementation strategy focusing on regional dimensions and aspects of population ageing. 

Demographic change, in particular ageing has become a global phenomenon. 

The magnitude of the demographic change requires that we pay attention to all its aspects and integrate the ageing issue into all policies and programmes. 
I would like to highlight policy areas in which immediate action is required in order to respond to the multifaceted and intertwined challenges posed by ageing societies.
 

The changing balance between active and non-active workforce has economic and social consequences. The viability of our social protection systems that contribute to maintaining an equitable balance of living standards between workers and retirees is challenged.

We should  be aware of the fact, that without fundamental reforms it will not be possible to ensure the sustainability of our pension systems in the long run. 

The new pension legislation in Germany thus results from the conviction, that viable pension systems require an equally balanced and fair distribution across the generations. 

Pension contributions will be kept at a level that does not overburden future generations while at the same time, it will provide an adequate level of income for those in retirement . 

Since there will be an increasing shortage of skilled labour in a few years time in many European countries, a new way of thinking is needed amongst enterprises.

Enterprises must at long last come to take stronger account of the know-how of older workers and their long years of job experience. 

We need active strategies for ageing in enterprises, that encompass facilities for age-related shaping of work, team work in mixed age-groups and a personnel policy aimed at sustaining an intergenerational balance in the workforce. 
 
 

Such measures will contribute to improving the working conditions of  older workers and will have a decisive influence on the decision to stay in a job and in the labour market. 
In addition to that there is a growing need to create new employment opportunities for all age groups. 

Our systems of health and long-term care are also challenged by population ageing. 
We need to promote health and well being of all people throughout their entire lives. 
This is an important goal of social and economic development that contributes to rendering our health and care systems sustainable.

Long-term care insurance in Germany is perceived by the majority of people as a highly successful scheme.
After seven years of operation it is fair to say that the new long-term care insurance system has established itself as a major pillar in the German social security system. 
Adequate long-term care for all ages is part of a continuum of health care, which aims at maintaining the highest level of well being of all persons. 
Co-operation between all  participants is crucial in the planning and management of our health and care systems in order to ensure equal access to high quality services while attaining financial viability of the systems. 

In line with these principles Germany seeks to develop enhanced standards and quality-based models in the field of care. 
They are embedded in our concept of future support structures for older persons. 
 

Furthermore population ageing will have consequences for our educational systems and the conduct of our lives at both the collective and individual levels. 
We want to equip every citizen with the skills needed to work in the new information society. 

Our ageing societies require efficient and  comprehensive educational systems, in order to facilitate learning and acquiring additional qualifications over the life-course and for all age groups.

Learning must be a life long pursuit, if we want to make progress in achieving our goal of creating a true knowledge-based economy. 
As stated at the Cologne European Council we need a shift in the learning paradigm and a stronger  focus on adult workers.

No individual should be denied the opportunity to contribute to social and economic development. 
This is the key principle that should guide policies in responding to the demographic challenges in all sectors and systems of our societies. 
The image society has of ageing and older persons in a society is of crucial importance in ensuring their full integration and participation. 
It depends on the full recognition of their contributions to social and economic development.

Older persons play crucial roles in families. 
The contributions of older persons such as caring for and support for family members are an important asset for society. 

The social capital that older persons  possess  very often remains under-utilised.

Measures need to be taken in order to strengthen the involvement of older persons in voluntary activities in local communities.

As a case in point, let me just mention the institutions known in Germany as senior citizens offices. 

These are places of first contact for older persons, supplying advice and counselling on an active life style. 

In particular, older persons are matched to opportunities for voluntary work and encouraged to and coached in actively putting their ideas into practice.

I am firmly convinced that the new Action Plan on Ageing will contribute to developing even further the concept of sustainable development, distilling new principles for an ageing society and establishing new operational tools.