Representatives from 16 Latin American and 8 Caribbean countries participated, among the more than 70 professionals and technicians involved in the theme of ageing and the rights of the older persons in the region.
The opening session included interventions by Paulo Saad, Chief of CELADE - Population Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) , Julio Borba, Minister of Health of the Republic of Paraguay, in his capacity as Presidency of the Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Florbela Fernandes, Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Population und (UNFPA-LACRO).
The Chief of CELADE-Population Division of ECLAC, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and joint work to carry out the agenda of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and made technical assistance available to the countries of the region to achieve compliance with the proposed objectives.
For his part, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Paraguay highlighted the region's progress in this area and urged to continue working intensely to comply with the ageing agenda, which will translate into improving the quality of life of millions of older persons.
The UNFPA Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Population Fund highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation in meeting the objectives of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and urged all countries to work together.
Once the opening session concluded, Zulma Sosa, Regional Advisor on Population and Development of CELADE-Population Division of ECLAC, presented on behalf of the Technical Secretariat of the Regional Intergovernmental Conference, the Guide for the preparation of the country report on the implementation of the Madrid Action Plan, which will help governments to prepare their respective reports. In this framework, she highlighted the full willingness of the Secretariat to provide technical support to the countries of the region that require it and reported that on September 16 a meeting will be held with regional civil society organizations in order to inform them about the start of the review process of the regional implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the expected results.
Finally, concern was expressed about the consequences of the pandemic, as well as other environmental events –particularly in the Caribbean– on the older persons. The will to deepen joint work was reaffirmed so that the countries can prepare their reports and report on progress in this area. Finally, the important call for the meeting and the relevance given by all to this topic of great interest to the region was highlighted.
Shared efforts are expected to help strengthen alliances to achieve well-being goals in the region.
