Press encounter at the UN Second World Assembly on Ageing, (unofficial transcript)

SG: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Let me say that we at the United Nations are very happy to have the opportunity to come to Madrid to discuss an issue of great importance to all of us. I think the question of ageing and the ageing population is going to have a major impact on our lives as we move into the 21st century. And I think that every speaker underscored the importance that it is going to be a political, economic and a social issue and that we should plan ahead and prepare for it and also the fact that we should use the talent of our older generation.

I think you heard me speak this morning and you have also heard lots of statements and so maybe I should take your questions straight away. I will take couple of questions. Yes.

Q: Marcelo Rissy, BBC World Service: What concrete outcome do you expect at the end of this conference more than the signature of a statement on which to reach a consensus and don't think that we really need a Conference of this magnitude. What are the concrete steps apart from a known rhetoric on sustainability?

SG: May I ask you, before you came here, had you focused on the issue ageing? I think lots of people have not focused on it. We don't realize the importance and the magnitude of the issue. The fact that we come here and share experiences and share good practices and draw attention to a major issue of the 21st century is a major achievement. Don't underestimate it. I think that the older people and the people that we are focusing on and the societies that are going to have this problem are extremely grateful that we are here. You must also remember that until today the issue of ageing has been seen as a problem for the developed world. Now it's going to be a problem for the developing world which also means that in addition to the already difficult problems of development they have, they will have to contend with this. And we need to help all of us, think through this and plan for reaching the future. And I think that message, that message alone is a very important thing to send and I am happy that we all came here to focus attention on this issue.

Q: Laura Rodrfguez, Canal Vivir, I think you put it very well that this is really a problem for everyone, for develop and underdeveloped people but do you think as well that we should look at it no so much as a problem but rather conditions and reflect on it on those terms?

SG: Oh, no I agree with you absolutely , and I think my own statement this morning was very clear as to how I view the contribution of older people and the way we should work with them as part of society but not as a group apart and rely on their talent and their contribution and their wisdom, so you will have a hundred percent agreement with me. But when you look down the future the question of social benefits , question of pensions how we care for them, how we use their talent and allow them to work for as long as they are able to. These are questions society has not settled. We also have a problem that you have a shrinking number of workforce that fewer and fewer people are working to sustain the older generation which today is 600 million but by 2050 would be 2 billion. So in effect, there is an opportunity and there is a problem and if we tackle it comprehensibly, I think we all will come out much better off.

SG: I think I will take the last question from you on the Middle East.

Q: Reuters: Secretary-General, what is your reaction to the fact that the offensive in The West Bank is continuing despite UN SC Resolutions and what do you expect to achieve from your meetings here this week with Colin Powell and EU and Russia?

SG: I genuinely hope that the Israeli government will heed the call of President Bush and these relevant Security Council Resolutions and withdraw the troops immediately. I think we have a very tragic situation and from the humanitarian point of view, it is really very, very serious when you consider that a large number of people are without water, they are short of food and medication, and the humanitarian workers, from Red Cross to Red Crescent to UNWRA do not have a freedom of movement. And even when they have a problem, they don't know whom to get in touch with. It is a very tragic situation and I hope that these resolutions will be implemented. The whole world is demanding that Israel withdraws. I don't think the whole world, including the friends of the Israeli people and government, can be wrong. So I appeal to Prime Minister Sharon to heed the call, and move ahead with the implementation of the resolution. Of course the resolution also makes demands on the Palestinian leadership and I urge them also to honour that. I think what is happening in the region, both Israel and Palestine, is a very painful thing for all of us to see the human tragedy and I also regret to say that the longer this goes on, the more it erodes the moral and political position of Israel in the world and I hope that Prime Minister Sharon would bear that in mind as well.

The meeting on Wednesday we hope to discuss obviously the situation in the Middle East and Mr. Powell's mission. Over the past 18 months or so, we have created the quartet, which is the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the Russian Federation. And we have been working very closely together. Our four envoys on the ground are in daily touch and they are in contact with the two parties and the principals are also in close contact. This meeting will give us an opportunity to assess the situation, discuss with Secretary of State, Powell, his objectives before he goes into the area and I think it would also give him a message of support and solidarity. We are solidly with him and I hope he will have a successful mission. It's not going to be easy. He doesn't have a magic wand, so we should not expect miracles. It's a tough mission but we will be with him all the way. Thank you very much.*****