Mr. President:

On behalf of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, and Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy G. Thompson, I am very pleased to be here today. My Delegation and I are honored to have this opportunity to participate in the Second World Assembly on Ageing.

Like all of you, the United States values the contributions that older persons have made and continue to make to society. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to them and to identify steps we can take to further improve their lives and the lives of their families and caregivers.

We also affirm our commitment to the themes addressed in the International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002. The Plan's recognition of the needs of older women, the need for older people to stay active and engaged, and the need to create intergenerational solidarity demonstrate how the international community shares a common vision of a better future for older persons.

Like the First International Plan of Action on Ageing, the new Plan is a very forward-looking document. While we cannot predict with full certainty what will transpire over the next 20 years, we can anticipate some of the challenges that lie ahead. We must start now to prepare for these challenges.

Looking back, we see visible progress in improving the lives of older persons and in preparing for tomorrow's aging populations. Nations have begun to address the many challenges while at the same time recognizing the contributions that an aging population can make to society. We must work together to make aging an experience to be anticipated.

Allow me to review briefly how the United States has implemented the International Plan of Action on Ageing adopted in Vienna in 1982. Older Americans comprise a large segment of the U.S. population -- one out of every eight of our citizens. And our older population is getting older. In fact, those aged 85 and older are the most rapidly growing segment of our population. As our post-Second World War "baby boom" generation ages, this number is expected to increase even more. By 2030, the population of those 65 and older will represent 20 percent of the overall population of the United States.

The last twenty years have witnessed great improvements in medicine, public health, science and technology. By strengthening our social security and health programs, by encouraging older persons to remain active and productive members of their communities, by adapting the living environment to the changing needs of older persons, and by reinforcing the links among generations, we have enabled today's older Americans to live longer and healthier lives than previous generations.

For the United States Government, the continued improvement in the lives of older Americans and their families is a priority. We are committed to eliminating discrimination based on age. We are committed to strengthening and modernizing our health insurance program for the elderly, improving access to health care, expanding prescription drug benefits, and preventing disease. And, we are committed to supporting high quality research to address all aspects of aging. Support of international aging research is integral to our research agenda.

Furthermore, the United States is also committed to protecting elders from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and we urge other countries to join us in this resolve. This includes the promotion of awareness and knowledge of the problems and the development of systems to respond to the needs of the abused. To enhance knowledge of the issues, we promote broad-based partnerships between the public and private sectors, including with the media, to develop protection strategies for the vulnerable.

In the document before us today, there are three themes that the United Nations has identified as areas that require particular attention. These three themes run parallel to priorities that President Bush has committed to address in the United States. The theme of development corresponds closely with our efforts to integrate health and social services, including working with community groups at the local level. We are building bridges between these two areas at the national and local levels - to enhance coordination of services, to provide flexibility, and to make access for the consumer easier. We are removing barriers so that older persons, their families and their caregivers receive the support and services they need.

President Bush has made a strong commitment to developing nations. He has promised to provide increased assistance to those countries that rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom. The President's new compact for development can produce dramatic gains against poverty and suffering in the world.

The UN theme of advancing health and well-being into old age is similar to efforts in the United States to encourage Americans of all ages to live healthier lives. We are promoting healthy lifestyle changes and heightening public awareness of culturally appropriate health care and social services that focus on disease prevention and the elimination of health disparities. We are also urging seniors to stay socially active, especially through volunteering in their communities. In March, President Bush announced the USA Freedom Corps, a new program that offers service opportunities to Americans of all ages who are looking for ways to serve their community, our country, and the world. His entire Cabinet, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging are taking this directive very seriously by encouraging older Americans to participate in the USA Freedom Corps, or in other volunteer opportunities, such as in the Senior Corps or the Medical Reserve Corps.

And finally, the theme of ensuring the presence of enabling and supportive environments parallels our efforts to assist our family caregivers. In the United States, families provide 95 percent of the care for older persons and those with disabilities. We are providing direct services and support to caregivers through the newly implemented National Family Caregiver Support Program.

In May of each year, the United States celebrates "Older Americans Month" - a time when all our citizens are reminded of the contributions and sacrifices of our elders. President Bush has proclaimed this year's U.S. theme to be: "America: A Community for all Ages." This initiative complements our work here, and we encourage others to develop a similar concept, if one is not already in place.

Although we may be oceans apart, we share a vision of a compassionate world that nurtures people of all ages. To realize this vision, we must implement practical programs and approaches, form partnerships, and educate our citizens to understand that preparing for an aging population is not limited merely to matters pertaining to health, transportation, or housing -- nor are these preparations the responsibility of governments alone. Rather, aging must be seen as a process that encompasses many issues and sectors. Healthy aging is a product of wise, long-term decisions made by individuals and societies.

There's a slogan in the U.S. about aging that goes like this, "Aging, if it's not your issue, it will be."

I believe that everyone attending this Assembly is a "visionary." As "visionaries," our work does not end here. Rather, here is where it begins. We must take the results of this gathering back to our respective countries and adopt and implement aging policies, at all levels, to realize the commitments that we will make at the end of this assembly here in Madrid.

The Plan of Action that we adopt has the potential to provide a blueprint for changing the world. The future is in our hands. I know you will join me in embracing this opportunity to create "A Society for All Ages."

Thank you, Mr. President.