Opening of the 11th Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing

– As delivered –

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

29 March 2021

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

I thank Her Excellency Maria Del Carmen Squeff, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, and Chair of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, for the invitation to address the opening of this 11th session.

This session is timely as much of the discussion over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic has been around protecting older persons who are considered high-risk and assisting with the mental health challenges associated with quarantining, in order to stay safe. These are issues that Member States should continue to prioritise, in our longer term recovery plans, in order to strengthen social protection and ensure that healthcare systems meet the needs of older persons.

Today however we are discussing issues which pre-date the pandemic, namely: access to justice, and access to the labour market.

COVID-19, and the related global economic downturn require a seismic shift in how we consider the labour market. Trends suggest that, the share of persons aged 65 and older in the labour force will continue to increase, especially in developing regions where two-thirds of older persons reside.

While poverty is the greatest social challenge facing older persons, older women are more likely to live in poverty as a result of less access to education and employment opportunities than their male counterparts throughout their lives. We therefore need to ensure equal access to quality opportunities, in the labour market for older persons.

Moreover, the move towards working from home requires us to increase digital literacy amongst older persons and bridge the gendered digital divide. To this end, I trust that you will support my upcoming event on digital cooperation and connectivity.

In addition, we need to learn from past experiences. In the aftermath of the 2007-2009 recession, unemployment rates for older workers increased exponentially. Stable employment was lost, with many older workers taking longer than their counterparts to find new work.  Much of the opportunities found were lower-paying, and more precarious in nature. This is particularly concerning, when we consider that pre-pandemic, three out of four older workers were employed in the informal sector, where they are afforded little, if any, social protection.

Now is the time to re-imagine national and legal frameworks, access to the labour market; as well as accessible remedies and redress mechanisms available to older persons, when the right to work is not upheld.

Excellencies,

Dear colleagues,

Access to justice in all of its forms should be effective, non-discriminatory, and include fair procedures for dispute resolution, and effective remedies, for all human rights infringements.

Older persons are entitled to impartial and competent judicial and administrative bodies that can deliver in a timely, affordable and effective manner, to provide prompt remedies.

There is no place for ageism in society: older persons are not a homogenous group, and should not be treated as such. All instruments of justice should take into account the specific needs of the individual exercising their rights – including their language, customs and traditions, rules and legal systems, and should aim to include, effective mechanisms of prevention.

Equal access to justice and legal empowerment, is a cross-cutting core element of the rule of law. Guaranteeing equal access to justice is indispensable to combat social and economic marginalization, especially as it enables and enhances other rights.

We need to be mindful that, the move towards digitalization of legal proceedings, including the submission of claims and following cases online, and accessible formats of information, threaten to leave older persons behind. Other obstacles include the affordability of legal services; excessive delays in legal processes, such as litigation; and physical access to places of justice, such as courts and police stations.

We cannot overlook the needs of older persons if we are to build inclusive, resilient, and age-friendly societies, and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Today I call on all Member States, to uphold the United Nations Principles for Older Persons, and to consult with older persons, when creating national legal and policy frameworks.

We simply cannot forsake older persons at this time of crisis.

I look forward to working with you, to uphold the rights of all older persons, throughout the 75th session of the General Assembly.

I wish all the best to the Chairperson of this meeting. Thank you very much.