In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Mr. President
Honorable heads and members of delegation

Allow me to express my deep regards and congratulation for your election by all the participants to chair the conference. May God grant you success in performing this vital task entrusted to you. I do hope this meeting will be continuation to the previous efforts exerted towards drawing future plans and strategies aimed to the provision of a comprehensive welfare system for the older persons as well as improving the quality of their live assisting them to enjoy good health, peace, prosperity stability free from harmful discrimination and equally treated as other age categories.

Mr. President
Esteemed attendants

I would like to point out here Kuwait's view towards the International plan of Action on Ageing in 2002 and towards the Director General's report on the work agenda which could be described as follows:
1. The participation of older persons in the society’s affairs should be given importance within the national development plan.

2.Equal access of older persons to jobs, adequate income as means of poverty eradication and financial assistance for those who are unable to work should be ensured. 

3. Intergenerational ties within families and local communities should be strengthened and the idea that the older persons constitute economic and social burden should be demolished. 

4. Retirement pension and social protection in old age should be secured especially in time of wars and natural crisis. 

5. Health care schemes for older persons should be promoted. Also the need of the aged disabled, mentally retarded and those suffering from aged diseases should be met. 

6. Accessible housing and transportation for older persons should be afforded. 

7. Protection the older persons against abuse and violence should be established. 

8. Access to education and rehabilitation should be provided for the older persons. 

9. Opportunities for employing older persons after their retirement should be promoted in older to benefit from their experience. 

Mr. President
Dear attendants

Stemming from the international work plan the Arab states have recognized the importance of preparing work plan targeted for the older persons up to 2012 which is based upon a number of perspectives. The most prominent are summed in the following: 


- Supporting the establishment of non-governmental organizations for the welfare of the aged. 
- Increasing awareness of the aged issues and problems. 
- Enhancing house care programs provided for the older persons. 
- Introducing educational subjects in colleges e.g Psychological guidance, old age diseases. 
- Observing the prevailed traditional values of social solidarity in drawing policies and plans. 
- And emphasizing on the integrated role played by the society towards the welfare of the aged people.

It is worth mentioning the effective contribution of Gulf Co-operation council to the international community through the performance of activities and achievements such as organizing scientific forums, executing specialized studies and issuing regulations and rules that govern old age welfare houses during the past twenty years.

Mr. President
Esteemed members

The state of Kuwait's commitment to its responsibility for the care of the older persons stem from the precepts of our orthodox Islamic religion which impels filial  piety towards them. There is no doubt that honoring this category and ensuring a decent life for them is consideration to their unlimited givings across their life course. These principles were embodied in the Kuwaiti Constitution of 1962 where it stated in article 11 that - The State ensures aid for citizens in old age, sickness or inability to work. Not to mention the paternal stands and constant support given by His Highness Amir of the state of Kuwait reflected in his expressive words that "It is incumbent upon all of us not to deny the first generation's merits who contributed constructively to the establishment of the state of Kuwait , we shall commit ourselves for the sake of their happiness and be loyal sons for them "

Mr. President
Dear attendants

On behalf of the government of the state of Kuwait, I hope that the conference will condemn and denounce intended actions of killing, damaging and terrorism performed by Israeli forces against civilians in the lands of Palestinians authority by which they violated all international convenants, Security Council resolutions Oslo
Conventions and the following resolutions.
These actions expose piece to danger as well as the conference reminded the importance of releasing prisoners
and not using them as a means for extortion or unhuman purposes. As my country is still suffering from the detention of more than 600 prisoners since 12 years ago.
On this occasion, I would like to review welfare services rendered by the state of Kuwait to older persons,
which are briefly as follows:


1. A social Institution for the welfare of the older persons was established in 1955 to involve the aged whose families are unable to look after them owing to their chronic sickness, meanwhile encouraging their families to visit them regularly 

2. The social work has been developed through setting up ambulant centres offering cares for the aged inside their families aiming at preserving family ties and enhancing their integration into the society. About 1164 citizens have benefited from this service. 

3. Monthly financial aids are granted to the older persons for the purpose of securing for them a stable income and a decent living. 

4. A number of popular café houses and Dewanyiahs for the first generation on Kuwait seaside's were established to function as clubs for the older persons to 

5. spend their leisure time and become acquainted socially with their friends and relatives. 

6. A comprehensive health care is provided for the older persons in the different hospitals and medical clinics. 

7. This category is given the priority to visit these hospitals. Also their psychological problems are solved They are awared of the old age diseases as well as those who are unable to visit these hospitals get the required treatment in their homes. 

8. The benefits and advantages of social security law of 1976 and its amendment is applied for the favour of older persons including civil servants, tradesmen, businessmen, craftsmen as they benefit from the generous retirement pension.