Excellency, Mr. President,
Excellencies, Heads of States and Governments,
Excellency, Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 

Two decades have elapsed since the conclusion of the Vienna World Assembly on Ageing. During this long period of time, the world has witnessed numerous changes, particularly the rapid progress of the scientific and technological revolution profoundly affecting the development trends of all states and the life of all nations, including the life of the older persons. The end of the first 20 years implementing the long-term "International Plan of Action on Ageing" adopted at the first World Assembly on Aging, especially the completion of the Ten year Plan of Action (1992-2002) and the UN Resolution No. 46/91, coincides with the time when humanity is entering a new century, a new millennium and facing new challenges posed by the speed and scale of global ageing. Against this backdrop, the convening of this Second World Assembly on Ageing, in the view of the Vietnamese Delegation, is necessary and timely. Within a few days, we are to accomplish the ambitious goals of reviewing the progress achieved since the first Assembly and working out directions and measures to cope with the challenges ahead. We thank the Commission for Social Development for the huge amount of work it has done in preparation for this Second Assembly. We thank the United Nations' Secretary General for highlighting the important directions and issues that our Assembly's deliberations are to focus on. Our delegation would like to warmly congratulate H.E. Jose Maria Aznar, Prime Minister of Spain, for being elected President of the Second World Assembly on Aging. We also wish to express our special thanks to the Government and people of the host country, the beautiful Spain, for their warmest hospitality rendered to us and other delegates. We look forward to co-operating closely with all delegations to ensure the fine success of the Assembly.
 
 
 

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Vietnamese Government shares the assessment by many other delegations in previous statements that important progress has been achieved in the implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing adopted at the First World Assembly in 1982. The initial important progress has been possible thanks to the growing awareness of problems and concerns for older persons. Hence, there has been greater attention of and closer cooperation among governments, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations as well as the whole society in taking care for the older population. As a result, in many countries, including developing countries with economic difficulties, health and social services delivered to older persons have been improved substantially. For their part, the older persons in many ways have positively contributed to the development of the whole society as well.

Especially in today's international context, with the emerging and fast growing knowledge economy, rapid speed of new scientific and technological advances, and multifaceted impacts of globalization, older persons, with their knowledge and expertise gained during years of professional and working activities in many different fields of the social life, are increasingly recognized as capable to make meaningful contributions not only to the development of their countries, but also to the preservation of their national and cultural identities. This positive trend should be promoted as the older persons' wisdom and expertise are an integrated part of the indigenous strength of a nation.

However, as many speakers have clearly pointed out in their statements, despite the importance of the progress achieved, it is necessary to recognize its unevenness and insufficiency. What matters here is that as a pattern, given their awareness of the problems, their determination to overcome them, developing countries in their great efforts to provide services to the older population, either in housing, income security, employment or health care, etc. still encounter the lack of funding and expertise caused by their economic and financial difficulties. As a result, the life of the older persons in most developing countries has not yet improved much. More to the point, what we cannot ignore is the sad reality that in some parts of the world, together with women and children, older persons continue to fall victim to acts of discrimination, violence and even aggression in bloody conflicts waged by certain forces. All the above confirms our belief that only by fostering and strengthening international peace and stability for development can we provide better services and care for the older populations all over the world, that is what they deserve after several decades contributing their knowledge and labor for the society.
 
 

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

At present, Viet Nam is not an aging nation yet. However, over the past two decades, the proportion of older persons in the total population has increased substantially and steadily, getting higher every year. Now older persons account for approximately 10% of the country's population of nearly 78 millions. On the one hand, this reflects a positive trend that is the increase in the life expectancy of the population thanks to the improvement of their living conditions. On the other, this requires the state and the society to make greater efforts to ensure the delivery of more social services to the older population. In Vietnam, Government's policy on the older persons and the society's attention and care given to them are based on the nation's tradition of respect for the elder which finds its expression in the saying " Respect for the elder earns you a long life", the recognition of their great contributions to the country and the belief in the potentials of their further contributions. It is true that many of the older persons have given their whole life to the struggle for national independence, the protection of the country as well as for the construction of their fatherland, and hence have acquired valuable vast knowledge and experiences that are useful not only for today's generation but also for the next ones. In Vietnam, programs for care for older persons have always been integrated into the socio-economic development programs, including important national programs such as community health care. At social service facilities, including hospitals, clinics and other public socio-cultural facilities, older persons enjoy preferential treatment. Older persons without family, many of them have lost their relatives during prolong wars, are taken care of at Public Social protection Centers established and run by the government. To facilitate the social life and activities of the older persons, in 1995, the Viet Nam Association of Older Persons was founded with its chapters in all cities and provinces, embracing persons of the age of 60 and up from communes, wards to cities, both at central and local levels. In its activities, the Association always enjoys the effective assistance of the state as well as the support of the Fatherland Front of Vietnam and other socio-political and mass organizations. To provide a comprehensive legal framework for older persons' activities, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly has approved the Ordinance on Older Persons. The Government has also adopted a Decision on implementing this Ordinance, specifying the privileges older persons are entitled to and assigns specific tasks to each relevant Government agency at both national and local levels in ensuring the delivery of necessary services to older persons. On the other hand, the Decision encourages the older persons, according to their abilities and actual conditions participate in and contribute to the cause of national defense and construction.

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thanks to the attention of the Government and of society at large, the efforts of their own, the life of older persons in our country has steadily improved. However, much remains to be desired. Despite numerous important achievements accorded during 15 years of Doi moi (renewal policy), Vietnam is still a developing country with economic difficulties and financial constraints. Moreover, the war consequences are severe and older persons and their relatives are among those who suffer the most as war invalids, disease bearers, and Agent Orange (dioxin) victims. Given this situation, ensuring adequate and appropriate care for the older persons and satisfying their specific needs are not easy tasks.

Nevertheless, with our right directions and policies on the older persons, the respect our people give to them, and with close cooperation and coordination between the state and the whole society, and with strengthened international cooperation, we shall provide a better care for the older persons, both spiritually and materially, in accordance with the fine tradition of our nation and the requirements and goals set in the International Plan of Action as well as the directions and measures being put forward by this second World Assembly.

With this spirit in mind, our Delegation would like to wish the Assembly fine success.

Thank you for your attention.