Mr/Madam President
Distinguished Delegates to the 2nd. World Assembly

The Second World Assembly on Ageing represents a significant milestone at the start of the new millennium for ageing populations and Jamaica welcomes the opportunity to participate in this historic event.

We wish also to acknowledge the support and leadership of the United Nations in the years prior to this Assembly and we wish to acknowledge the host Spain for organizing the Assembly and hosting us in this beautiful city of Madrid.

The 2nd. World Assembly is significant being held early in the new millennium which will experience an unprecedented growth of the over sixty population in the developing world. As such, it provides us in the developing world to consider the ageing of one population and the implications for policies and programmes. Jamaica as part of the Caribbean reported to have the oldest ageing population in the developing world is projected to see a doubling of our elderly population over the next 30 years.

As such, Mr. (Madam) President we welcome the various reports prepared by the Secretary General of the U.N. focusing on the issue of our population ageing. The International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002 - the subject of our discussion will provide the framework for the discussions on the way forward for many years to come. The document importantly recognizes that the ageing of our populations requires collaboration between many agencies, government offices and non-governmental organizations.

The New Plan of Action is built around developing issues and stresses the role and importance of seniors in continuing to contribute rather than only as recipients of services. This approach is very relevant to us in Jamaica as our elders continue contributing to family and community long after formal retirement. In 1997 Jamaica tabled a National Policy for Senior Citizens in recognition of the importance of the ageing of the population. This was the highpoint of what was decades of activities on behalf of seniors. In 1976 the Government's National Council on Ageing was established to advise on and develop programmes to improve the quality of life of seniors.

The Government of Jamaica therefore remains committed to improving and advancing the situation of our seniors. We view this draft Plan as timely and will provide us with new approaches and ideas to strengthen existing programmes and provide the bases on which to develop new ones.

Some of the concepts conveyed in the Draft Plan are important to us. A major thrust of the Jamaican approach given that the population despite ageing is also still youthful is the need for intergenerational support and understanding. The changing dynamics being experienced by the family is recognized as important. These elements are addressed in the Draft Plan. It is important to maintain older persons in family units and develop Social programmes to assist this. Recently Jamaica has introduced a new social security benefit programme to do this. The emphasis on family in the Draft Plan is significant.

During the 1999 International Year of Older Persons the programme in Jamaica recognized that ageing was a life long event beginning long before the official stage of ageing at age 60.

Persons at retirement are a product of all the previous years. A major thrust was begun and has and will continue to provide education and information on ageing across the lifespan beginning in schools. Such an initiative not only educates young persons about the ageing process but also provides them with increased understanding of older persons and teaches respect of older persons.

The education process has been influenced by the increase in chronic disease in the Jamaican population and seminars are held for mid-life and older persons on healthy lifestyles. A process which this year is being strengthened by the healthy lifestyle campaign is being mounted by the Pan American Health Organization.

We are very aware of the issue of caregiving which is being raised by the ageing of the population and the above mentioned campaign is intended to reduce the impact of the effect of chronic illness. The Jamaican Government has introduced a Drug Programme for seniors to help reduce complications. Yet this issued of care giving cannot be ignored. More consideration as to how to support the caregiver and the family providing care is going to be needed as the population ages and the Draft Plan raises the issue.

As attention is focused on the economic and health issues faced by seniors and the overall developmental issues such as poverty alleviation and the impact of globalization there are other issues to consider. Research in the Caribbean and specifically in Jamaica has identified social issues as a major concern for seniors - loneliness, a sense of isolation and a lack of social opportunity were listed by the seniors. Programmes for seniors should address not only what is good for the senior but also what they want. There is therefore a need for social activities and opportunities for seniors such as seniors clubs. It is important to consider not only the quantity of life but also the quality of life. Importantly in all efforts the voice of the senior should be asked for and heard.

In closing Mr (Madam) President Jamaica thanks the various United Nations agencies who gave us the Vienna Plan twenty years ago and now the new Draft which recognizes the different experiences of developing countries. We are grateful for the United Nations Principles for Older Persons and we look forward to the United Nation's continued support and participation as we individually move forward to improve life for our present and future seniors.

As we welcome the dawn of this new millennium, and we work to ensure ageing populations are included in development agencies let us not forget that those before us accomplished much in their time. We are having these discussions because of their efforts to build our present societies. As we build a new tomorrow let us pay tribute to the seniors of today and yesterday the survivors - the trailblazers.