Mr./Madame President,

The Suriname delegation, consisting of Governmental and non-governmental younger and older persons, in embracing real partnership amongst generations and peoples towards development,

is very privileged to participate in this important Second World Assembly on Ageing.

We thank the Government and People of Spain for the excellent arrangements and courtesies extended and commend the United Nations through its very dedicated Secretary General for the special attention, care and hard work in the best interest of the World's Older Persons.

The Suriname delegation also wishes to associate itself with and strongly support the important statement, delivered on the 8' of April by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Luis Alfonso Davila on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Very crucial and essential for the Suriname delegation are the references in the G 77 and China statement to:

- The challenges of globalisation
- The poverty situation of older persons throughout in particular the developing World
- The necessity of poverty eradication and promotion / protection of the Human Rights of older persons The solution for the debt crisis in developing countries
- The specific needs of older women
- The HIV/AIDS pandemic in relation to grandparents, especially older women

In the light of these realities, the Suriname delegation deemed it necessary to propose and promote resolutions last December within the UN on "the situation of older women in society", and "Human Rights education as a key to development".

Mr./Madame President,

The Suriname delegation is pleased to provide this august audience with some specific data regarding the situation of older persons in Suriname, in addition to what we have said so far.

In 1982, Suriname participated in the World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna, Austria.

Since then both Government and NGOs are continuing their activities in the best interest of older persons. Strategies and programs to enhance the welfare of older persons have been incorporated within the policy of the Government. The National Advisory Board for older persons (which was established in 1981) advises the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing regarding issues of older persons.

In 1999, the "International Year of Older Persons", a national commission was installed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, which I had the honor to chair, to put into practice the main theme of the international year: "Towards a Society for All Ages", in order to raise the awareness in our society regarding the role of older persons in the community, and the importance of the communication between generations. This commission comprised of representatives from the Government and NGOs. In collaboration with relevant Governmental agencies and NGOs several activities were organized and actions were undertaken regarding older persons in Suriname.

Mr./Madame President,

Our population is multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic. The major groups, living in peace with one another in the urban and rural areas, are from all parts of the World: a reflection of our United Nations. The population in the interior consists predominantly of maroons and indigenous people.

About 10 percent of the population is above 60.

Overall literacy of the population aged 15 years and older is 86.2 percent. The overall literacy percentage of 65 and above is 62.8 percent.

The mortality rate in our country decreased from 20 in the twenties to around 7 in the seventies, and this trend continued up to 1997. The life expectancy at birth in 1999 is for males and females respectively 67.8 years and 73.0 years.

According to the health statistics for 1995 -1999 the number one cause of death for persons 65 years and older are Hypertension and Heartdiseases (46.8%), followed by amongst others Cancer (14.5%). Concerning to HIV/AIDS older persons in Suriname play a vital role in the upbringing of orphans and counceling of extended family members.

The temporary results of the Civil Servants Registration in 2001 (Ministry of Home Affairs 2001) give an indication that older persons are integrated at the policy level of the Government.

Because of the multi-ethnic society the situation of the older persons depends on the cultural group to which they belong. In the various groups they are often part of the family, they play an important role in the upbringing of the grandchildren and their opinion is of great importance in family decisions.

Research has shown that older persons hold the view that their children have to take care of them if they become old. They prefer however to function independently as long as possible in their familiar environment, because they assume that they will lose their independence in a home for older persons.

The pension regulation in Suriname consists of:

1. Old age pension regulation, which indicates that every person who has reached the age of 60 is entitled to an old age pension;
2. Retirement pension regulations regarding retired civil servants and retired persons from private corporations
3. Invalidity pension
4. Widow's/ widower's - and orphan pension

Mr./Madame President,

Within the Surinamese Civil Code there are regulations concerning the support for needy older persons by their children. This guarantees that family support is provided for older persons. Furthermore there is also a draft bill on "Home care", family care for older persons.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing has the responsibility for the public welfare, including the social care for older persons. Provisions through the Ministry regarding older persons are:

- Subsidies to homes for older persons
- Financial and Medical Support for vulnerable older persons

There are several umbrella non-governmental organizations for older persons, such as the foundation "Charlie's Bigisma Platform", the association of Private and Social Institutes (VPSI), an union in the interest of retired civil servants (BBGO), as well as committees, associations, religious groups for older persons.

At the moment the Division of Research and Planning of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing is preparing a national survey on the living conditions of older persons. A survey regarding the quality and care demand in the homes for older persons has already been conducted.

The Government will work on strategies for the implementation of proposals from the multi-annual policy for older persons, such as health care, living condition, recreation and the financial position of older persons.

The outcome document and declaration of this Second World Assembly on Ageing as well as the Millennium Development Goals will be important guidelines for the Suriname Government to continue its work for the improvement of the situation of older persons in our society on the basis of the UN principles: Participation, Care, Self-fullfilment, Independence and Dignity of older persons.

Thank you, Mr./Madame President.