Commissioner Diamantopoulou's speech to the 2nd UN World Assembly on Ageing

Sommaire: April 8, 2002: Speech by Mrs. Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner responsible for Employment and Social Affairs, to the 2nd UN World Assembly on Ageing on "Ageing in the European Union - challenges, priorities and responses" (Madrid)

Secretary General, Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am pleased to address the Assembly on behalf of the European Community and fully support the Spanish delegation statement this morning on behalf of the European Union.

Today, people in many parts of the world are living longer, healthier, lives than ever before. This offers the prospect of a new model of life, a new society, where women and men can have new roles, and new lifestyles. A positive reflection of all the technological and scientific advances of the last century.

Yet, somehow this positive scenario is being largely portrayed as the new 'bad news'.

Of course, the current facts look alarming. Especially for Europe, where one person in three will be at least 60 years old by 2050, and one in ten over 80. The vast majority women.

All of this has major economic, as well as social, implications. But neither are an inevitable consequence of our ability to live longer. Rather they reflect our inability, or slowness, to address two problems:

The first is that we are not replacing our populations, with low birth rates causing a growing distortion in our demographic structures.
The second is that we are allowing, even encouraging, people to have shorter working lives, just at a time when they are fit and able to work even longer.

The policy implications are clear. We need to bring our populations back into balance. And we need to take a much more positive view on immigration if we are to deliver the improved quality of life that greater longevity should bring.

Ageing affects not just older people today, but all generations, in all countries. This is why, over the past few years, the European Union and its Member States have taken major steps to respond to the challenge with a comprehensive, forward-looking approach.

The gender dimension is fundamental. We recognize that women are at the heart of the ageing challenge. But they are also at the heart of the solution to our ageing societies.

One aspect concerns old age. Older women now account for two-thirds of the European Union's population over 60 and live on average six years longer than men, raising issues of health care, welfare provision and adequate income.

But the issue is not just about longevity. It is about the causes, and consequences, of falling fertility rates. And the implications this has for our labor markets and social security systems.

The issues are many: occupational segregation; the gender pay gap; inadequate child care; unequal access to training; tax and financial disincentives.

All these barriers make work less attractive and less accessible to women in general, but particularly to women with children, at a time, when the expectations and demands on parents never cease to increase.

Women also bear the lion's share of caring responsibilities. Not only of children, but of dependent older people too.

Ultimately, we must create societies in which women and men will be able to have families without making massive personal and financial sacrifices.

That cannot be achieved without positive, concrete action. Which is why we are seeking to raise the employment rates of European women, from 50 per cent today to 60 per cent by the end of the decade. And why we have set targets and objectives for the provision of care for children and other dependant people.

The future economic and social sustainability of our continent cannot be achieved without gender equality and more compatible work and family life. Which is why policies must be integral rather than piecemeal or token.

The European Union has established a range of important objectives concerning ageing. Especially:

High quality health and long-term care for older Europeans so that ageing is a positive experience.
Increased employment levels especially of women and older workers in order to raise incomes and maintain strong, viable social welfare systems.

Indeed, just a fortnight ago, the Union's political leaders endorsed a new report on promoting active ageing in Europe to enable people to continue to be active and to contribute as they age. This includes a commitment to create the opportunities for older people to stay at work for, on average, up to 5 years longer than today. For further information on the subject, please click here.

At the same time, we are working very closely with our Member States to put greater emphasis on the skills, training and jobs needs of older workers.

EU leaders have also committed themselves to review and reform national pension systems within a common EU framework while new European-wide laws are being put in place to fight discrimination, including on the grounds of age.

My final point concerns the role of the United Nations at a global level.

We agree with, and greatly welcome, the United Nation's call for global co-operation on ageing issues. And we fully support the new International Plan of Action on Ageing as well as the regional implementation strategies.

The European Community has its own experience in facing the challenge of ageing and in coordinating and reviewing policies against common targets and indicators.

Each country's needs may be different. But we are ready and willing to share our experience with our UN partners and to play our full part in strengthening international co-operation.

Thank you.

Ref: SP02-104EN
Source UE: Présidence UE
UN forum: Autres
Date: 8/4/2002

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