The Second World Assembly on Ageing is being convened at a time when the world is undergoing a remarkable demographic transformation, affecting all aspects of human daily life. The increase in life expectancy coincides with an increase in wealth and technology. However, many difficulties and challenges continue to face the international community, particularly in the developing countries in their endeavors to meet the needs of their ageing populations and to enable them to lead healthy and productive lives. Therefore, it is imperative to review policies and priorities at both the national and international levels to ensure that older persons continue to be assisted in ways that promote their full inclusion and participation in the development of their societies.

Mr. President,

It is an honor for my delegation to participate in this important Assembly to adopt an International Declaration and Plan of Action on Aging under the auspices of the United Nations. Such an outcome will be a step forward in our aim to achieve the prosperity of humanity and the protection of all human beings. Also, we welcome the convening of this Assembly in Spain, the country that currently holds the presidency of the European Union, and a country that the Palestinian people have friendly relations with. The government and people of Spain have stood and continue to stand by the Palestinian people in their continuous struggle against Israeli occupation and their fight for freedom and independence, and we express our gratitude and appreciation to them.

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Palestinian people have been living under very harsh conditions under the brutal Israeli occupation, which has lasted for nearly 35 years now. Since 28 September 2000, Israel, the occupying Power, has intensified its bloody military attacks against the Palestinian people living the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, resulting in the killing of more than 1200 Palestinians, including children, women, men and the elderly. Further, over 35,000 Palestinians have been injured by the occupying forces, many severely and permanently. The Palestinian people have been subjected to collective punishment, such as mass detentions, curfews and a suffocating siege by the occupying forces negatively impacting all dimensions of socio-economic life of the whole population. They are all being deprived from the most fundamental human rights, including their right to live a normal life with dignity. However, the degree of suffering of the elderly is the highest. I will not go into detail for, of course, you bear witness to this through various media outlets. You have seen women, children and old persons face restriction of movement, preventing them from reaching hospitals, schools and workplace. They are forced to walk long distances under very harsh conditions between mountain valleys and bulldozed streets due to the Israeli checkpoints and the constant military siege. They have been faced even with widespread hunger, as there are shortages of even the most basic food items and of other basic services and daily necessities. Among the most critical of situations is that which exists in the Palestinian refugee camps.

The destruction wrought by the Israeli occupying forces since 28 September 2000 has been devastating, destroying vital infrastructure and institutions established by the Palestinian Authority. This destruction has gravely impeded socio-economic development, practically taking us back to point zero. Moreover, the batunstan policy imposed by the occupying Power has paralyzed any and all development and has suspended all rules and regulations that organize civil society by subjecting the entire Palestinian population to military rule. Among those most harmed by such intolerable conditions have been the elderly population.

Mr. President,

The Palestinian Authority has been striving to create the foundation for a viable State in a framework that balances the rights and duties of all its citizens. It has created ministries to handle all aspects of civil society, one of the most significant is that of the Ministry of Social Affairs. This Ministry focuses great attention on the situation of older persons. Palestinians exceeding 60 years old constitute 5.3% and those who are 65 years old constitute 3.7% of the total population. Studies show that they will constitute an estimated 10% of population by the year 2025. Life expectancy is estimated to be 70 years for men and 73.7 for women.

The Ministry of Social Affairs provides care and protection to all persons in need, including the elderly. Presently, 41,000 families are in need and among them 10,000 are older persons. The Ministry is working to implement the following means with regard to the well being of older persons:

1. Promote and strengthen the role of the family to enable older persons to selfsufficiently care for themselves.
2. Provide assistance to older persons in their own homes or those of their families so they do not need to move to elderly homes.
3. Create clubs for the elderly in the West Bank and Gaza, similar to the one already created in Gaza to implement the home care program for the disabled.
4. Restructure homes to meet the needs of older persons.
5. Work to establish a government center home for the elderly who do not have any place else to go.
6. Draft policies to protect older persons with the cooperation of all ministries and NGOs that deal with these issues and ensure the policies' adoption.
7. Create a high-level council comprising all ministries and formal and informal organs of the government relevant to the elderly and coordinate all their efforts towards a natural strategy for the care of older persons.
8. Establish a mobile social health service to reach older persons wherever they are whether they reside with the families or in other centers.
9. Give attention to the media and its role in educating the public about the importance of providing care and respect for older persons
10. Review the education curriculum in all stages to enhance the abilities and capabilities of older persons in all aspects, such as literacy programs to sustain and empower them.

In this regard, we call upon the international community, the United Nations and the donor countries to bear their responsibilities towards our people, including the elderly, in order to alleviate their suffering and establish an international protection force to provide protection for Palestinian people until Israel fully withdraws from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and until the establishment of a Palestinian State with east Jerusalem as its capital. We call upon you to stand by the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom and international legitimacy and an end to Israeli occupation and a just resolution of the plight of the Palestine refugees.

In closing, I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to all governments, particularly donor countries, the United Nations and its Secretary General, and the involved NGOs for their support and assistance, especially during this difficult time in our struggle to achieve our inalienable rights and independence.