15th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council

Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues.

I call to order the 15th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. Before we begin, I wish to mention that this meeting will last until 6:15 p.m. wish to remind you that the division of conference management has prepared an online survey concerning the quality of conference services provided at this meeting. Participants in the room may access the survey by scanning the displayed QR code on the screen using their smartphones or tablets. Your feedback is important to DCM in its efforts to provide more efficient and effective meetings. I encourage everyone to participate in the survey. We will now continue the interactive dialogue with the working group on arbitrary detention. We continue with the list of speakers from the national human rights institutions and NGOs. I give the floor to Defence for Children International.

Madam Vice President, Defense for Children International welcomes the opportunity to speak on behalf of the NGO panel on children deprived of liberty, and we thank the working group for their report. Data collected for the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty indicate that almost three quarters of all children deprived of liberty per year in the administration of justice are held in pretrial detention. Children around the globe in pretrial detention are particularly vulnerable to violations of their rights and often see their access to basic services, education, and fair treatment in detention denied. Reports of a failure to separate adults from children in detention are common in many regions and particularly widespread in pre-trial detention where the conditions and physical space make separation difficult. Even short periods of detention can be tremendously harmful for children, compromising their contact with family and friends and exposing them to the risk of violence. In addition, the possibility of engaging in education, training and/or employment activities is hampered, and the risk of self-harm, depression, drug use and suicide increases. Recognizing the well-documented and detrimental impact of detention on children, it is imperative to prioritize and scale up alternative solutions that fully uphold children's rights. We urge Member States to implement non-custodial solutions in pre-trial proceedings, ensure that all children who come into contact with the formal criminal justice system are managed within a specialized child justice system, and to implement the recommendations of the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. I thank you.

Thank you very much.

Next, Redress Trust.

Madam Vice-President, I thank the Redress Trust for the opportunity to address the Council. We are grateful to the Working Group for its important work on the abuse of national security laws and arbitrary detention, and for highlighting the reprisals suffered by those of us engaging with your mandate on this very issue. Back in 2020, the Working Group warned that overly broad national security laws in Hong Kong could be used to target and silence journalists. This is precisely what has happened. The case of Jimmy Lai shows how Hong Kong is using these laws to arbitrarily detain journalists and pro-democracy campaigners. Mr. Lai is a 77-year-old British citizen and a pro-democracy campaigner, media owner, and prisoner of conscience. He is being prosecuted for his fearless journalism with Apple Daily and for advocating for democracy in Hong Kong. Last year, the working group found that Mr. Lai is arbitrarily detained and called for his immediate release. But a year later, Mr. Lai remains in prison. He's already spent more than four and a half years in prolonged solitary confinement, and the conditions in which he remains poses serious and grave risk to his life. If convicted, he faces life in prison for exercising his internationally protected rights. We call on China and Hong Kong to respect the Working Group's decision and to release Mr. Lai. And we urge this Council and all UN member states to support the Working Group's mandate to release Mr. Lai, to call for Mr. Lai's release, and to stand up for everyone being arbitrarily detained in Hong Kong. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor international.

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

I thank International PEN for the opportunity to address the Council today.

International PEN has documented a disturbing global trend in the abuse of national security laws to suppress the voices of writers, journalists, and publishers. My father's case is emblematic of this trend.

My father is Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy campaigner and publisher currently imprisoned in Hong Kong. Last year, the Working Group found that my father is arbitrarily detained.

You ruled that he has been targeted because of his political opinions.

His journalism and his activism, and that the Hong Kong authorities wrongly used the law to try to silence him.

The working group ruled that he should be immediately released.

Yet my father remains in prison.

The Hong Kong authorities have persisted in their targeting of him. My father's prosecution is a death knell for the rights and freedom in Hong Kong. If convicted, he faces the rest of his life in prison. He has already been imprisoned in solitary confinement for over four and a half years. He is almost 78 of age and diabetic. His health is fading. My greatest fear is that I will never see my father again, that he will.

Die in prison, and that the rights and freedoms that we held so dear in Hong Kong will die with him.

Today, I call on the authorities of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong to take.

Heed of the working group's opinion.

I call on them to immediately and unconditionally release my father before it is too late.

Thank you very much. Next is European Union of Jewish Students.

Madam Vice President, it has been 712 days since 250 men, women and children were abducted from their homes by the terrorist organization Hamas. To this day, 48 of them remain captive in Gaza. To the date, we don't know how many of them are alive. For over 700 days, these human beings have been denied the most basic human rights, the freedom to move, to sleep, to see the sun, to embrace the loved ones, to study, to work, and to live a life in dignity. Instead, they have endured unimaginable suffering, starvation, abuse, and torture. These people were not abducted because of anything they did, but because of who they are, Jews, Israelis, or because they were in any way connected to the state of Israel. This crime is a result of an ideology rooted in antisemitism that begins with words, but at last becomes blind violence, violence that endangers people every day and then take lives. Bringing these hostages home is not a political question. It is a humanitarian one. The European Union of Jewish Students will always stand with those in need and with the most vulnerable.

And the just against all vicious forms of hatred.

And today, we urge the Human Rights Council to do the same. We call you for the release of the remaining 48 Israeli hostages. Demand immediately proof of life, insist on full ICRC access to them, and bring them home without delay. This nightmare might need to end now. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is Gulf Center for Human Rights Limited.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Gulf Center for Human Rights, MENA Rights Group, and Al-Kust for Human Rights wish to draw attention to the ongoing arbitrary detention of numerous individuals in Saudi Arabia, subject of opinions issued by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Since 2016, the Working Group has issued 33 opinions highlighting a systematic pattern of arbitrary detention in the country, which they have indicated could amount to crimes against humanity. Only five individuals have been released, often after serving lengthy prison sentences amounting to decades. Their releases remain conditional, as they are subject to arbitrary travel bans, surveillance, and threats of rearrest. Many others remain unjustifiably imprisoned solely for exercising their fundamental rights. Meanwhile, amid an escalating execution crisis, several individuals, subject of past opinions, have since been executed or awaiting execution. Most recently, Saudi youth Jalal Labad was executed after having been committed of crimes allegedly committed when he was a child. His execution raises grave fears for other child defendants at imminent risk of execution, such as Abdullah Al-Darazi, subject of Opinion No. 7124. Given the urgency of cases involving risk of execution, as well as the recent releases of several political prisoners who nevertheless all remain under arbitrary travel bans and unable to resume their activism, we believe that this is a critical moment for the Working Group to initiate a follow-up procedure with the Saudi Government to ensure the full and unconditional implementation of the Working Group's opinions and request the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Give the floor to Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

Mr. President, we thank the working group for its report. On 6th of July, Tibetans and Buddhist practitioners worldwide celebrated the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. Yet, Tibetans in Tibet were denied even this small freedom. A striking example is Asang, a young singer who was detained for weeks simply because he had performed a song in honor of the revered spiritual leader. As he remains under constant surveillance and has been barred from using social media, his situation can be described as non-release release. His case adds to those of the imprisoned monks, Drubdra, Lobsang Kedrup, and Lobsang Geffell. We are also gravely concerned about the cases of two senior monks, Sherab and Gompo Tsering, who were sentenced last year to three and four years in prison for peacefully protesting against the planned Kamtok Dam, a project which threatens to displace thousands and destroy sacred sites. Reports that Gompo has been tortured in detention, leaving him blind and unable to speak, are deeply alarming. These cases reflect a systematic effort by Chinese authorities to silence dissent and erase Tibetan identity. Mr. President, no one should be punished for honoring their religious leader or protecting their cultural heritage. We urge this Council to demand the immediate release of Sherab, Gompo Tsering, Drubdra, Lobsang Khedrup and Lobsang Geffel, and all Tibetans arbitrarily detained simply for exercising their universal rights, and to hold China accountable for its ongoing violations in Tibet. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

World Organization Against Torture is next.

Madam Vice President, the World Organization Against Torture welcomes this dialogue and shares the group's concerns about the use of pretrial detention. Our Global Torture Index shows that nearly half of all countries fail to separate pretrial detainees from convicted prisoners, despite this being an essential safeguard. We also witness an extremely high rate of children held without sentencing, close to 80 to 90% in some countries. Many spend months, even years, in detention, where they face an alarming risk of torture and ill treatment. Detention is further misused to silence human rights defenders. In our 2024 report, Censorship by Detention, we documented 444 cases across 17 countries where detention becomes a form of punishment itself. In Peru, mass arrests during the 2022-2023 protests arbitrarily targeted women, children, and indigenous people. In Tajikistan, defenders like lawyer Maruchar Kolik Nazarov remain imprisoned, even after the Working Group declared his detention arbitrary and called for his release. We urge states to comply with the Working Group's opinions and end the misuse of pretrial detention. Victims deserve justice. Thank you.

Gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to Action Canada for Population and Development.

Delivers this statement on behalf of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and the SRI.

We thank the working group for its visit to Canada and for its comprehensive report.

We remain deeply concerned about the mass incarceration of Indigenous peoples, particularly Indigenous women and gender diverse individuals.

While Indigenous people make up only 5% of the Canadian population, they represent 32% of those in federal custody and half of all federally incarcerated women.

This reflects the ongoing impacts of colonialism, systemic discrimination, and trauma. Solitary confinement persists under the new name of structured intervention units.

Which often replicate its torturous conditions and disproportionately affect Indigenous people.

Federal priorities continue to favor carceral punishment over the social investments needed to address the root causes of incarceration. Investment in social programs, mental health care.

Housing, community reintegration, and culturally appropriate justice alternatives is fundamental to ending systemic discrimination and preventing further violations of Canada's human rights obligations. Canada has received consistent recommendations from this working group, the UPR, CEDAW, and other treaty bodies, yet progress remains minimal.

We therefore ask the Government of Canada to work with us and other civil society actors.

To implement a concrete plan to end.

Mass incarceration, eliminate solitary confinement, and realize other human rights recommendations.

Gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to the International Catholic Child Bureau.

President, the International Bureau of Cote d'Ivoire welcomes the theme of non-custodial measures studied by the Working Group and its recommendations. In Cote d'Ivoire, authorities have adopted, in line with Article 55 of the Penal Code, the decree of 26 May 2021 defining modalities for implementation of community service. Circular number 4MJDH, 29 June 2023, gives details on implementation. Moreover, decree 045 MJDCB of 30 March 2023, members of the national policy co-ordination bureau on community service have been appointed. However, implementation of those normative and institutional initiatives requires affirmed political will and tangible action. The mechanism for community service as a means of non-custodial measures requires outreach and bolstering synergies between the various stakeholders. bolstering the steering bodies of the mechanism, including the director of civil and penal affairs and the bureau of coordination of national policy in the field of community service, and the three mobilisation outreach training organisations of public and private structures to host and regulate the issue of children and adults sentenced to community service. We call for, one, a bolstering of the capacities of magistrates for community service; two, a consolidation of the national list for reception structures and three, operationalise immediately the, uh, work, the mechanism of community service work. Thank you.

Thank you. Give the floor to Civicus.

Madam Vice President, Civicus has prioritized putting every possible effort for those who are arbitrarily detained for the exercise of their fundamental freedoms to be released without any conditions and to prevent this measure from reoccurring in violation of international human rights law. The victims of arbitrary detentions are typically deprived of means to defend themselves from other unlawful practices such as extrajudicial execution and forced disappearances and torture. Arbitrary detention also creates chilling effects for various forms of civil society movements across borders. Civicus has publicly operated a standards of witness campaign, which allows all stakeholders to add voice and take action. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the campaign. Regrettably, arbitrary detention remains one of the most widespread violations of civic freedoms globally with protesters, HRDs, and journalists being detained in at least 76 countries. Those who are detained often expose serious human rights violations, high level corruption and impunity, with unlawful imprisonment often preceded by stigmatization, reprisals, and coupled with other retaliatory measures. We urge the unconditional release of the 20 prominent HRDs profiled in our campaign, whose cases are illustrative of larger.

Regional and global trends.

We also urge states to ensure that safe, proportional, and non-discriminatory alternatives to pretrial detention are available. to promptly renew the mandate of the working group, fully cooperate with the mechanism and support investigation of all allegations. We urge the Council to mandate to stop taking report and options available to systematically monitor and address unlawful detentions linked to cooperation with UN mechanisms. We thank you.

Thank you. That was the last.

Speaker that we could include in this dialogue. I give the floor to the rapporteur, Madam Yudkivska, for her concluding remarks. Apparently, you have eight minutes, 40 seconds.

Mr. President, I wholeheartedly thank the States and civil society for your valuable interventions. In this limited time, I will group the points raised into three categories. But before addressing those questions, allow me once again to express our profound appreciation to Canada for the exemplary cooperation we experienced during our and we remain committed to continue our meaningful dialogue with the government on the issues raised. And I would also welcome the States informing us of development in introducing non-custodial measures through their respective legislative reforms. Now, regarding the procedural concerns raised about communication deadlines and verification of sources, I want to emphasize our working group's deep commitment to meaningful dialogue with all member states. Our process is inherently adversarial by design. We present allegations and governments have every opportunity to challenge, to refuse, to provide counter-evidence. But this system only works when both sides engage. So your participation is essential to reach a fair conclusion. On deadlines, we fully recognize that crafting sorrow responses require careful consideration and consultation across various governmental departments. That is why our method of works provide flexibility. State may request 30 day extension in addition to 60 day initial period as outlined in paragraph 16. I want to assure you that every piece of information we receive is valued and carefully weighted in our deliberations. Even responses that arrive after deadline are thoughtfully considered and reflected in our opinions, though they might not appear in the summary section, but they do appear in our deliberation section. Our commitment to justice means we never close the door on relevant information. that could eliminate the truth. It concerns also the context as was raised in this room today. For those seeking to revisit our findings, paragraph 21 of our methods of work provide clear guidance on the review process. I assure you that our door remains open for constructive engagement at all stages. There were also concerns raised regarding alleged lack of a proper geographical balance and some invitations to look closer to certain country-specific situations. And on this point, I would like to stress that this group is a quasi-judicial body dealing with cases submitted to it. We cannot introduce a case that was not brought to us. brought to us via official proceedings. There are indeed more complaints coming from some states or regions rather than others, but that does not necessarily mean that there are disproportionately more cases of arbitrary detention in those countries. Rather, it demonstrates that the civil society is aware of existing of this mechanism and uses it to improve the system. The second group of questions addressed some substantive issues regarding concrete steps to ensure effective implementation of alternatives to pretrial detention. Well, states should firstly ensure that their legal framework offer courts a rich palette of non-custodial measures, from electronic monitoring to regular reporting, from community service to supervised release. But of course, legislation alone is not sufficient. Robust institutional infrastructure must breathe life into those alternatives. We encourage the states to view their pretrial detention rates not merely as statistic, but as a mirror reflecting the health of the justice system. A high percentage of pretrial detainees often signals systemic problems that undermine both justice and human dignity. Some states raise topical concern on use of incarceration to silence dissent. Let us be clear, the right to dissent is sacred. It springs from the very essence of human dignity and encompasses freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and civic participation. Unfortunately, our jurisprudence in this respect exposes a sad reality. Across continents, we witness states weaponizing vague laws to silence critics, journalists who expose corruption, activists detained for legitimate political opposition. This is not law enforcement. This is systemic suffocation of democratic discourse. Via our opinions, we forcefully condemn the weaponization of detention against dissent. Peaceful criticism should never be a crime. Going further and addressing questions concerning our engagement with the States and the impact of our work, again, let me express my sincere gratitude to those many delegations who have acknowledged our work today. Your recognition energizes our commitment and reminds us why this mandate so deeply matters. We are profoundly grateful to Guatemala, Chad, and Republic of Korea for the kind invitations. Country visits are essential to our mandates, allowing us to engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, and we encourage all member states to open their doors to international scrutiny. On proactive engagement with our mandate, well, when we find detention arbitrary, our opinions provide states with a clear roadmap, release of the person, compensation, investigation of those responsible, and relevant legislative and administrative reforms to prevent repetition. Implementation is not just about individual cases. It's about rebuilding justice systems that protects everyone's liberty. And coming to a question from France on the lesson from our 100th anniversary, I will start with thanking France for co-hosting this memorable event that taught us that our mandate is more than legal opinions. We heard directly from those who were detained and who described our work as their only hope when all other doors are closed. And we learned from them that receiving our opinions while still behind bars represents the first and sometimes only recognition that their suffering was seen, their situation acknowledged by the international community. So every opinion we issued, according to them, sends a message to the detained person, you are not forgotten, your case matters, justice still exists. And wrapping up this fruitful discussion, the year 2024 demonstrated that this mandate works when we work together. Through our opinions, our country visits, and our thematic work, we have shown that systematic engagement produce real results, lives restored to freedom. But our success, again, depends entirely on your partnership. We call on states to transform our recommendation from words on paper into concrete national policies, fund the programs, include civil society voices. To every member state in this hall, please answer our communications. Your response or silence determines whether someone walks free or remains forgotten. Invite us to your countries. Show us your progress, but also your challenges. Let us work together to strengthen your systems. Behind every statistic I have shared with you today is a human being who deserves freedom. Your support makes a difference between justice promised and justice delivered.

I thank you very much, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you very much. With that, we come to the end of our interactive dialogue. I wish to thank the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and especially Madam Jodkivska for her participation. Thank you very much. With that, we will begin the next interactive dialogue with the independent expert on older persons. We just wait for the expert to take a place at the podium, and then we'll get the dialogue started. Excellencies, colleagues, we will now begin the interactive dialogue with the independent expert on older persons. It is my real pleasure for me to welcome the independent expert, Ms. Claudia Mahler. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I now give the floor to Ms. Mahler to present her report. Go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Excellencies and delegates, dear colleagues and friends, it is my honour to address you today as independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who is engaged with the mandate over the past year and to those who have contributed valuable input to the preparation of my thematic, but also to my country reports. This year's report explore the intersection of two fundamental and inseparable rights, the right to social protection and the right to work. The context for this report is urgent. People are living longer than ever before, which is a huge success, but it also requires adaptation of our social, political, and economic institutions. By 2050, the number of people aged 16 and over is expected to double. In some regions, older persons with all the different lived realities will make up more than a third of the total population, yet all too often aging population are spoken of only as a cost and a burden. And it is not taking into account that inaction will really lead to much higher costs for our societies. The purpose of this report is to challenge those assumptions and place older persons where they belong, at the center of human rights-based approach to social protection and work. The obstacles older persons face are not simply individual or circumstantial, but are embedded in a broader system. They are rooted in structural ageism. This has an impact on institutions, laws, policies, and societies as a whole. Older persons are often excluded from the labour markets based on ageist stereotypes. In social protection schemes, in the criteria and the narratives that depict older persons as passive recipients of social allowances and care, rather than rights holders and active contributors to societies, structural ageism denies dignity and perpetuates invisibility. Madam Vice-Chair. The right to work is essential for participation, autonomy, and dignity. Work provides not only income, but also meaning, a basis for social inclusion, and a sense of belonging to the society. Excluding people from work on the basis of age denies them a core dimension of human life. However, the right to work cannot be fully realized without social protection, without adequate pensions or health coverage, older persons are forced to work under conditions of precarity and exploitation. Within the scope of my findings, I would also like to emphasize that the right to work does not expire at a certain age. It is a lifelong right, and older persons must be free to choose if, how, and under what conditions they really want to work and contribute. Excluding them is a waste of human potential. Therefore, labor markets need to adapt to ensure their inclusion for as long as they want. This could involve offering flexible and decent work opportunities, investing in lifelong learning, recognizing both paid and unpaid contributions, and ensuring that older persons are not forced out of work due to prejudice. Turning to the subject of social protection, I would really like to advocate for its universality and adequacy. Social protection system must guarantee every older person a minimum standard of living with dignity. This means providing income security through pensions and other schemes, ensuring access to affordable healthcare, and protecting people against life's uncertainties. Social protection systems must be able to adapt to crisis, as we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Old age allowances are often insufficient to reduce poverty, for instance, because the whole amount is used for medical expenses. In some cases, the allowance is just 10% of the minimum monthly wage. Persons with lower income enjoy lower social protection through contributory systems to be at a higher risk of living in poverty and to have to rely on non-contributory allowances. Particularly in cases of low paid workers, those with interrupted careers, pensions levels do not always meet the needs of older persons, especially older women. I urge States to adopt a human rights-based approach in all areas of social protection and the labour market policies and laws. This involves designing systems that uphold the principles of autonomy, dignity, non-discrimination and participation. It means tackling ageist assumptions that promote exclusion. It also means ensuring that older persons themselves are actively involved in shaping the policies that affect them. rather than being treated as passive recipients. I would like to emphasize the importance of inclusive and flexible labor markets that enable older persons to remain in and re-enter employment under conditions that respect their choices and capabilities. Another important issue is data. Without disaggregated information about the situation of older persons, policies will remain inadequate. Excellencies, colleagues, and friends, While many states are facing economic challenges and limited budgets, we cannot deny that choices must be made. However, there is a strong argument that investing in social protection and inclusive employment is never a lost investment, but rather a driver of stability. The costs of inaction are much higher. Despite the turbulent times we are currently living in, I am convinced that with political will, commitment and respect for human rights, we can build societies in which ageing is met with inclusion rather than exclusion, protection rather than neglect, and recognition rather than silence. To ensure the best protection, I encourage you to support the development of a legally binding instrument for the human rights of older persons. Madam Vice President, colleagues, and friends, now allow me to share some insights from the two country visits I've undertaken. Firstly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to the governments of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia for the invitations. In December 2022, I had the pleasure to undertake a 12-day country visit to Malaysia. The government affords to quickly adapt to the ongoing demographic shift that will make Malaysia an aged nation by 2030 are commendable. I was pleased to see positive initiatives such as social allowances, free healthcare contribution to the wellbeing of older persons. However, I was made aware of ongoing challenges throughout the country. For example, the system for non-contributor social protection allowances for older persons is complex and fragmented, making it difficult to navigate. Furthermore, the traditional system of families providing for older persons should not be used as a pretext to minimize the government's responsibility in this regard. While I commend the positive initiatives that facilitate older persons' access to employment, especially for vulnerable groups, There is a lack of a specific focus on intersectional discrimination affecting older women, older indigenous persons, older migrants, older LGBTIQ persons and others. Having recognized aging as a priority, I encourage Malaysia to turn this recognition into a rights-based action. In April 2025, I accepted an invitation from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to undertake a 10-day visit to the country. Throughout my visit, I observed visible efforts to improve the situation of older persons. For instance, there were impressive leaps towards modernization, including a myriad of services for older persons that are difficult to find anywhere else. These include at-home and virtual healthcare and civil registry service. as well as advanced medical services in prisons. However, a rights-based approach requires focus on those who are in the most vulnerable situation. In the case of Saudi Arabia, non-residents seem to remain largely excluded from public policies for older persons, despite making up a large proportion of the older population. Most importantly, they are excluded from free healthcare and social security benefits. I encourage the government to extend the protection to be available to all older persons in the country. I hope that the further findings and recommendations in the two country reports will help both governments build a better future for older persons. And I can assure you that the mandate is ready for further dialogue and technical assistance. Madam Vice President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and friends. Let us not waste any more time. Let us affirm together that the human rights do not diminish with age. They are lifelong. They belong to all of us. I hope to continue engaging positively and constructively with all the states. As my last words to you in the opening remarks, I want to draw your attention to a current situation which impacts us all, as all mandates holders in the special procedures. I unconditionally denounce the US Government's sanction on the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. I express my full solidarity with Francesca Albanese. Sanctioning a Special Rapporteur appointed by the Human Rights Council violates international law and is a direct attack on the integrity of the UN human rights system, including special procedures as a whole. I call on all states to act decisively to denounce these sanctions and refuse to carry them out. I also call on the United States to immediately withdraw these illegal sanctions. I thank you for your attention and your commitment, and I'm very much looking forward to our interactive dialogue today, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your attention and your support. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Pursuant to habitual practice, we will now listen to the delegations from the countries concerned. I'll give the floor first of all to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia. You have the floor for five minutes, Your Excellency.

Thank you very much, Madam Vice-President. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the Special Rapporteur on the enjoyment of all older persons with human rights for her visit to the Kingdom from the 20th to the 30th of April 2025 and her report that referenced the positive aspects and the unprecedented achievements made by the Kingdom and provided to this important category of the society and her recommendations. In order to strengthen the system of human rights, the Kingdom would like to underscore that in all its legislations and procedures, attention is accorded to all criteria of human rights, including strengthening and reinforcing the human rights of all the persons based on our culture and principles that obligates respect and appreciation to this category of the society. In this respect, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has adopted the Human Rights Council Resolution 58/13 that established the International Open-Ended Working Group to develop a legally binding instrument for the human rights of all the persons, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks with -- looks attentively towards the recommendations of this report. We will take all the necessary steps in line with our national system and international obligations. We hope that this thematic mandate, and we wish the those responsible for this mandate all success to realize and strengthen the rights of all the persons. Madam Vice President, the basic law of Saudi Arabia enshrines a number of provisions that strengthens equality and non-discrimination to all without exception. The labor code in Saudi Arabia prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, age, or disability, or any other grounds of discrimination. Within 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia predicated on the essentiality of human rights in order to achieve development, the vision consolidates human rights in all the procedures and legislations of the Kingdom. The rights of older persons are provided special attention as a category that deserves attention and care. We once again reiterate our unwavering commitment to the rights of older persons. We appreciate the efforts undertaken by the Special Rapporteur To highlight the challenges and opportunities in this regard, the Kingdom also once again supports the importance of constructive dialogue and multilateral dialogue to exchange best practices and experiences to better protect the rights of older persons. Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. I would now like to inform you that the list of speakers has closed. I would now like to give the floor to the distinguished Ambassador of Malaysia. Madam, you have the floor for five minutes.

Madam Vice-President, Malaysia thanks the independent expert, Ms. Mahler, for the country report presented and for highlighting the positive actions that have been taken by Malaysia. Malaysia remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of older persons, as stipulated in Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law for all. Protecting the ageing population remains a priority. Malaysia has implemented a range of progressive measures to support older persons, including the expansion of social security, enhancement of healthcare accessibility, active engagement of older persons in policy-making, and the adoption of inclusive, age-friendly infrastructure. Nonetheless, we recognise that some challenges remain. the 13 Malaysia plan 2026 to 2030 announced in August 2025 reaffirm Malaysia's commitment by featuring the development of the national blueprint for aging 2025 to 2045 a structured plan to establish a long-term care ecosystem for older persons the blueprint will be developed through a whole of society approach by engaging various stakeholders inclusively and transparently to strengthen coordination enhance support and ensure a timely and targeted response to the needs of the aging population. On this note, we are disappointed that the report stated Malaysia did not engage in meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders on the drafting of the Senior Citizens Bill. We wish to emphasize that the consultation process is still at an initial stage as the draft bill is a work in progress. Malaysia remains committed to continuing regular engagement with stakeholders to ensure that the bill is inclusive, responsive and reflective of the needs of older persons. We regret the references that do not accurately reflect our position during the consultations with the independent expert. In this regard, Malaysia would like to make the following clarifying points. First, any reference to proposed penalties concerning family members support for older persons in the Senior Citizens Bill is premature and risk prejudging the outcome given that the consultation process on the draft bill remains ongoing second while article 8 of Malaysia's federal Constitution the Supreme law of the nation does not explicitly refer to older persons it guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law for all persons it also prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion race descent place of birth and gender which apply equally to older persons third Malaysia wishes to clarify that community centers and social programs are are diverse, reflecting the country's multi-ethnic and multi-religious community. Older persons are free to choose activities in line with their cultural or religious background. And fourth, we emphasize that there is no discrimination in our healthcare system. We wish to underscore that our healthcare system is guided by the principles of fairness and equality, with regular monitoring in place to ensure healthcare accessibility for all, including older persons. Madam Vice President, Malaysia would like to reiterate that our policy on the rights of older persons is founded on inclusive and ongoing consultations with various stakeholders guided by our federal constitution and national policies. We remain committed to continually improving the quality of life of older persons, including through financial literacy and security, retirement planning, and equitable access to social services. Malaysia positively notes the recommendations of independent experts, particularly those relating to training, technical assistance and international cooperation. We believe that greater collaboration in capacity building, knowledge sharing and best practices exchange will assist Member States, including Malaysia, in strengthening their frameworks for the protection and empowerment of older persons. In our collective endeavour to safeguard the dignity and well-being of older persons globally, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders, including the UN mechanisms, in good faith and constructive manner. We underscore the importance of a balanced and constructive reporting that recognizes both progress achieved and the challenges faced by member states in their national context. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. I would now like to give the floor to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission. You have three minutes.

Mr. President, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, SUHAKAM, welcomes the report of the Independent Expert on the Human Rights of Older Persons, Dr. Claudia Mahler, following her visit to Malaysia in December 2024. Malaysia is experiencing rapid population ageing, with older persons projected to comprise 15% of the population by 2030. This demographic shift presents urgent human rights challenges that demand stronger legal safeguards and inclusive policies. We take note of the independent expert's findings that echoes SOHA comes to work, including persistent ageism and the absence of legal protection against age-based discrimination. Despite Malaysia's national policy for older persons, significant gaps remain in healthcare access, social protection, and long-term care. SUHKAM therefore calls for domestic legislation and constitutional reform to prohibit age-based discrimination. Equally important is the establishment of a rights-based social protection framework to ensure dignity and security for all older persons. SUHKAM supports the development of an international convention on the rights of older persons to provide global protection. Mr. President, SWOCOM stands ready to work with the government, the United Nations, and all stakeholders to advance the dignity and rights of older persons in Malaysia. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I would now like to invite interested delegations to put questions and make comments on the report. Speaking time is one minute and 30 seconds for all. I give the floor first of all to the distinguished Ambassador of Kuwait, who will speak on behalf of a group of countries.

Please go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries would like to thank the independent expert for her report, in which she draws attention to social protection for older persons goes hand in hand with the right to work. GCC countries will strengthen such rights and social protection through laws in order to ensure that older persons' dignity is respected. Financial, social and moral support programs are also put in place. These are prevailing values in the GCC countries. Special value should be attributed to older persons, particularly in the context of swift demographic change which characterizes today's world. GCC countries are aware of the need to combat negative stereotypes and age-based discrimination in the labour market in particular. We underscore the importance of empowerment and passing on knowledge and know-how. We would like to insist on that matter, particularly when it comes to combating ageism.

Thank you.

Thank you. The next speaker is the delegation from the European Union. You have the floor.

Thank you, Vice-President.

The European Union thanks the independent

expert for her report on the intersection between older persons' rights to social protection and to work.

The report notes severe disparities and inequalities in lived realities of older persons.

It asserts that dignity, autonomy, and equality for all in old age can be achieved only through a rights-based, intersectional, and life-course approach to aging. The EU and member states are addressing the challenges of aging societies by promoting lifelong learning and enhancing skill systems, encouraging longer and healthier working lives, and reforming social protection and pension systems. Under EU law, age-based discrimination in employment and occupation is expressly prohibited, safeguarding older persons from unequal treatment in recruitment, promotion, training, and workplace conditions. European citizens are entitled to social security benefits and services, including in old age, ensuring a life free from poverty or exclusion. The European pillar of social rights reinforces this by guaranteeing adequate pensions and equal pension rights for all. We will continue to engage

with relevant UN bodies to enhance the protection and enjoyment of human rights of older persons.

Madam Independent Expert, could you please share examples of targeted strategies that governments could implement to ensure that every older person has access to social protection?

Thank you so very much.

Thank you very much. I now call on the delegation of Algeria on behalf of the Group of Arab States.

Please go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. It is my honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Arab States. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the independent expert for her report. The Arab Group would like to insist on the fact that protecting the rights of older persons requires holistic policies and a protection framework which is flexible and can adapt to changing needs. We must also have disaggregated data which goes just beyond age brackets. We must ensure that there is access to health and other social services without discrimination for older persons. are concerned about discrimination against older persons in the occupied Palestinian territories. They are deprived of access to health services, they cannot move freely, and this seriously undermines their dignity. We stand ready to cooperate with the independent expert in order to improve the living conditions of older persons in the Arab region.

Thank you.

Thank you. The next speaker is the delegation of Ghana on behalf of the Group of African States. You have the floor, Ghana.

Vice President, the African Group congratulates the independent expert for the quality of her report and the relevance of the topic addressed. The African group agrees with the independent expert that social protection and access to work are human rights that must be guaranteed to older persons and that, far from a burden, older persons are rights holders, contributors and valuable members of society. To this end, Article 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights guarantees to older persons the right to specific measures of protection. In order to guarantee the full enjoyment of this right, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Older Persons was adopted on 31st January 2016. This protocol, which entered into force on 6th November 2024, guarantees in Article 7 and 8, respectively, the right to social protection, including for persons who do not have the opportunity to contribute to social security schemes. and protection against discrimination in access to employment. Madam Vice President, with this experience in codification, the African continent is willing to share it with the international community so that a binding instrument on the protection of rights of older persons can be developed and adopted. Thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the delegation of Ecuador. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. My delegation would like to thank the independent expert for her report. It reflects challenges facing older persons in accessing the labour market and thus social protection, as well as other intersecting forms of discrimination. Ecuador believes that we have to change our mindset. We can't think of older persons as a burden. Instead, we must recognize them as rights holders and people who make a valuable contribution to society. That's why we've driven a number of initiatives to provide economic assistance, care, health and social integration for older persons. including the pension my best years for older persons who face poverty and a pension for older persons, which benefits those who have not been able to pay into the contributory scheme. We also have certain residential centres for older persons who have been abandoned or do not have family support. Those centres prevent isolation and promote physical and mental health. Regrettably, despite the forecast of there being 1.5 billion older persons by 2050, current structures don't provide explicit protection against age-based discrimination. That's why Ecuador reiterates its firm support to drafting a binding instrument which guarantees the right social protections for older persons and their inclusion. Thank you.

I would now like to give the floor to the Ambassador of Italy.

I align myself with your statement. We reiterate our firm commitment to the promotion and protection of the right of older person. The independent expert report rightly highlights the intersection between the right social protection and the right to work, both essential to dignity, autonomy, and inclusion. Strengthening comprehensive social security system and ensuring equal access to labor markets are key to preventing poverty, discrimination, and marginalization. Equally important is the promotion of age-inclusive policies that enable older persons to participate fully in society according to their abilities and choices. Italy attaches great importance to non-discrimination, accessibility, meaningful participation, and the full inclusion of older persons. We remain engaged in the Human Rights Council work on these issues, as well as in advancing the 2030 agenda whose goals are crucial to the realization of the rights of older persons. Italy has reinforced its commitment through the 2022 Rome Ministerial Declaration supporting the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regional Strategy of the Madrid Plan of Action on Aging. Since 2019, at the national level, we have also promoted active aging policies through a participatory multi-level coordination framework. Mr. Independent expert, could you share some good practices of measure aimed at countering ageism and changing negative stereotypes about older person in the labor market? Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the delegation of Lebanon. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Lebanon thanks the independent expert for highlighting key global and regional legal instruments protecting the rights of older persons, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. We especially appreciate the expert's clear explanation of how lifelong structural inequalities lead to insecurity in old age. Lebanon welcomes the growing international momentum on this issue, particularly given our own experience with overlapping crises, economic hardship, COVID-19, and Israeli aggressions causing internal displacement that have disproportionately affected older persons and further increased their vulnera- vulnerabilities. In response, the Lebanese government has integrated older persons in its broader social protection policies and launched a dedicated national strategy developed in close partnership with civil society. This strategy promotes an inclusive Lebanon where older persons can age safely and with dignity, focusing on six priorities, mental and physical health, economic and social security, active participation, family support, and intergenerational solidarity, safe and age friendly environments, and protection from all forms of violence. While some progress has been made, sustained efforts are essential to fully uphold the rights of older persons. Therefore, we will make good use of the report's recommendations. Finally, Lebanon supports the development of legally binding

international instruments dedicated to older persons' rights to strengthen global protection and empowerment.

And I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to Gabon.

Thank you, Vice-President. Gabon aligns with the statement by the African group and congratulates the independent expert for a high-quality report. Older persons, especially those from vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities, are often exposed to poverty. That situation results from weakness or absence of social protection mechanisms or of pensions. due to various factors such as ageism, which restrict their access to the labour market or restrict their opportunities to maintain themselves. To address this reality, the government of Gabon undertook a number of reforms, including raising the retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 62 as part of a new remuneration system, regularising arrears accumulated over a number of years, as well as upgrading pensions. However, despite those efforts, challenges remain due to the lack of a legal framework in that field and the absence of specific programmes to combat ageism and deconstruct adverse stereotypes towards older persons on the labour market. My delegation would appreciate the support of the international community to support implementation of that process. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to UNFPA.

Hello. Thank you, Chair. UNFPA welcomes the report and shares the concern that despite international and regional frameworks affirming rights to social protection and work, older persons continue to experience disparities, especially those facing intersectional discrimination. For women in particular, the cumulative impacts of gender pay gap, unequal caregiving responsibilities, and interrupted work histories lead to lower or non-existent pension, deepening poverty and dependence in old age. The world is aging rapidly. While developed countries currently have the largest shares of older persons, many developing countries are experiencing the most rapid demographic shifts, often without the necessary systems and resources to fully respond. To assist countries, UNFPA's program on demographic resilience supports the collection of population data and the analysis of population development linkages and policy dialogues. Additionally, UNFPA offers technical support in the formulation of strategies, policies, and programs that promote healthy and active aging. UNFPA stands ready to support states in implementing gender and age responsive disability inclusive social protection systems and we advocate for a rights-based, intersectional, and life-course approach to population aging, one that promotes dignity, autonomy, and equality for all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker is FAO.

In 2020, nearly 300 million people aged 65 and over lived in rural areas, where hunger is more prevalent and over 75% of the world's extreme poor live. Many older persons employed in agriculture, particularly women, lack access to adequate social protection, pensions or other forms of support, worsening their livelihoods, food security and nutrition, and forcing them to work under precarious conditions. As youth migrate, elders are left with limited support networks and rely heavily on land as a safety net. This delays intergenerational land transfer and contributes to the aging of farming communities. With low participation in pensions systems in agriculture, old age poverty remains A significant risk threatening the sustainability of national protection systems. In response, FAO supports the G20 call to action on universal social protection to protect vulnerable rural populations. FAO assists countries to uphold the right to adequate food and social security, including in expanding rural pension schemes and food assistance initiatives, while promoting the recognition of older farmers' knowledge.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Holy See.

Muchisimas gracias, senora vicepresidenta. My delegation takes note of the report on the intersection between older persons' right to social protection and the right to work. By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or over, accounting for 1.4 billion of the global population. This figure is expected to double by 2050. However, societies are not sufficiently prepared to address this demographic shift with proper respect and practical consideration for the fragility and dignity of older persons. This demographic shift is also a moral test of how society is value and care for their elders. When older persons is considered to be a social and economic burden, an increasing strain is placed on the public services so that the needs of growing elderly populations can be met. In such context, there can even a concerted push to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. These throwaway policies foster a culture of death rather than respect for the elderly. For social security systems to work, a strong bond between generations is essential. For this reason, my delegation also calls for greater investment, for greater investing in social protection policies that support the family as the enduring foundation of the human society. Thank you.

Thank you.

The floor to Malawi.

Madam Vice President, Malawi aligns with the statement of the African Group and welcomes the report of the independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. Malawi commends the focus on the intersection between the right to social protection and the right to work. In Malawi, older persons play a vital role in sustaining families and communities, yet many face vulnerabilities linked to limited social protection and barriers to decent work. To address these challenges, Malawi ratified the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa in 2021, and also enacted the Older Persons Act in 2024, which strengthens protection for older persons and guarantees their rights. Furthermore, Malawi is in the process of developing a national action plan to end violence against older persons, which will provide a comprehensive framework for prevention, response, and accountability. Malawi welcomes the recommendations for States to strengthen social protection floors, combat ageism and age discrimination in the labour market, and ensure that older persons have equal access to employment opportunities and pensions. Malawi joins the call for stronger international cooperation, including consideration of a binding instrument dedicated to the rights of older persons to ensure that no one is left behind. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Ambassador of Argentina.

Thank you, Vice President. The core group on the working group on older persons, which is currently leading the negotiation of resolutions dedicated to the recognition of the human rights of older persons, composed of Argentina, Brazil, Slovenia, the Philippines and Gambia, wishes to highlight the valuable work that the independent expert, Dr. Claudia Mahler, has carried out for almost six years at the head of this mandate. Her work has been instrumental in shifting perceptions, emphasising that older persons are not merely beneficiaries of social services but are rights holders entitled to dignity, equality and participation in society. In that context, it is important to recall that, recently, the Council took a decisive step towards a stronger commitment to the defence of the human rights of older persons. By consensus, with more than 80 co-sponsors from all regional groups and with strong applause, a resolution was adopted establishing an open-ended intergovernmental working group mandated to develop a legally binding instrument. Finally, the Core Group wishes Dr. Mahler every success in her professional career, trusting that she will continue to contribute to the recognition and promotion of the human rights of older persons. Thank you.

Thank you, Ambassador.

I give the floor to Lesotho.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. The delegation of Lesotho welcomes the report of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. The report attests to the fact that the intersection between older persons' right to social protection and the right to work centres on the need for adequate and inclusive policies that prevent and address stereotypes and age discrimination, allowing them to work if they choose to and receive sufficient support when they retire or cannot work. We have noted from the report that the challenges faced by older persons include inadequate social protection, as many of them lack sufficient pensions or social benefits to meet their basic needs. This predicament increase their risk of poverty and forcing them to seek work. Also, the traditional views of older age as a period of economic inactivity can lead to policies that fail to support continued work or provide adequate social safety nets. My delegation's question to the independent expert is, taking into account the overall challenges facing older persons, how best could states address the interconnected needs of older persons, promoting their dignity and well-being as a way to guarantee continued economic participation? Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Serbia.

Madam Vice-President, The Republic of Serbia welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur and emphasizes on the right to social protection and right to work, which are very important issues on the path of full equality of older persons. In a few places in the report, the new binding international document on the rights of older persons was mentioned. The Republic of Serbia would like to say that all parts of the provisions of this document should take into concern a monitoring mechanism. This is nothing new compared with other conventions of human rights, but this?

Time we consider that monitoring mechanism should be.

Should be prepared and adopted in conformity with 21st century and technology developments as well as innovations.

This new monitoring mechanism should provide the better implementation for the sake of.

Rights of all the persons and human rights in general. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to Thailand.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Thailand thanks the independent expert for her report, which rightly underscores the importance of addressing ageism, ensuring access to decent work, and strengthening social protection systems. In Thailand, the Department of Older Persons has identified employment of older persons as a core strategy for aging society preparedness. Recognizing that older persons increasingly wish to remain active in society, Thailand has extended protections under labor law to ensure their right to work free from discrimination. The government also offers tax deductions to employers who hire persons aged 60 or older to incentivize hiring. These efforts are enforced by policies that connect employment with social protection, enabling older persons to continue contributing their skills while being safeguarded in their well-being. As Thailand moves towards becoming an aging society, we remain committed to advancing a holistic approach that upholds the human rights of older persons in line with international standards. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to Mongolia.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Vice President. We thank independent expert for her important report on the older person's right to social protection and their right to work. Mongolia aligns with the call for the rights-based integrated approach that enable older person to live in dignity with both income security and meaningful opportunity for participation in work and society. In Mongolia, demographic shifts are underway. Our older population currently 9% is growing steadily. Many older persons continue to work often out of necessity, particularly in informal sector, hurting community and rural areas. We particularly support the experts' recommendation to ensure universal and adequate pension coverage, especially for informal workers, women, and rural population. Promote flexible work arrangement and lifelong learning. With the adoption of the revised law on elderly people in June 2024, with effect from 1st of January this year, Mongolia is actively pursuing pension reform, social welfare expansion, and improvement of rural service delivery, and we remain committed to inclusive and discriminatory policy. Currently, the government is developing the main direction of Mongolia's development, which is expected to provide for, inter alia, a comprehensive state policy. I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor.

To Qatar.

Thank you, Vice President. We stress the vital importance of older persons as their integral part of Qatari society. My country believes that promotion and protection of the rights of older persons is part of national efforts to promote and protect human rights in general. The state of Qatar has called on all its ministries and institutions to use the word "senior citizens" as opposed to "older persons," recognizing their role and efforts in development of our country. We've taken numerous measures at the legislative and executive level. to ensure the respect for their rights in the framework of development, social policy based on principles, above all within the constitution of the state of Qatar and national vision 2030. The interest for older persons is based on fundamental pillars such as religious duties and cultural norms calling for respect for older persons. Older persons enjoy liberty to end their life, based on their needs in healthcare, psychological support, legal protection, social security and housing, enabling them to participate in public life and to use their expertise in various domains to ensure a decent life. We finance the centre for empowerment of older persons, which is an institution that provides healthcare and social services and contributes to the implementation of the goals regional conventions on older persons.

Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor now to Slovenia.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Slovenia aligns itself with the EU statement. We thank the independent expert for her report and the presentation today. Madam Independent Expert, social protection and the right to work are human rights, yet access to social protection is not equally accessible to all, and older persons often face ageism and stereotypes in the labor market. To address these gaps, a meaningful participation of older persons when designing laws and policies is of particular importance. Despite being a heterogeneous group, older persons face several common challenges worldwide. Amongst them are invisibility, intersecting forms of discrimination, and they are at a higher risk of poverty, especially those in vulnerable situations. Women face discrimination throughout their lives and their employment history is more likely interrupted than men's. This affects their enjoyment and the right to social protection in older age. How can we reduce gender gaps in employment, wages and pensions, and ensure women enjoy equal access to social protection? Madam Independent Expert, since this is your last interactive dialogue as the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons in this Council, please allow me to thank you most sincerely for your tireless work advocating for human rights of older persons in the UN framework and beyond.

I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I give the floor to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Not in the room.

Next is Ghana. Ghana has the floor.

Madam Vice-President, Ghana thanks the independent expert for her report and aligns with the African Group statement. We share the concern that ageism and inadequate social protection perpetuate poverty for older persons, especially workers in the informal sector. Our national aging policy provides our framework in guiding and ensuring the well-being and right of older population. Our livelihood empowerment against poverty program offers direct cash transfers to indigent older persons, aligning with ILO's social protection floors concept. Madam Vice President, furthermore, our National Pensions Act establishes a multi-tier system to improve income security. We openly acknowledge the challenge highlighted in the report of extending pension coverage to our vast informal sector and are working on targeted strategies to include these workers. The report's call for a paradigm shift is welcome. Ghana is committed to strengthening the implementation of our policies and ensuring our social protection systems are adequate and accessible for older persons. We value international cooperation in this effort and remain dedicated to upholding the dignity and rights of older persons.

I thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Austria.

Madam Vice President. Austria aligns with the EU statement. We thank the independent expert for the presentation of her report. Austria promotes continuous professional development among employees, including older workers, ensuring their skills remain relevant in the evolving labour market. Digital platforms can be a challenge for older persons looking for employment. To improve their technological skills, Austria provides free information technology training. As finding a new job once someone reaches a certain age can be a challenge, the Austrian Employment Initiative 50+ facilitates the reintegration of unemployed persons aged 50 and above into the labor market. At the same time, a part-time retirement scheme allows older employees to reduce their working hours as they approach retirement, thereby easing their transition from full-time employment to retirement. With the statutory pension system in Austria, everyone who contributed throughout their work life receives financial support in retirement. For those who do not qualify for sufficient pension benefits, there are social welfare support programmes in place. Madam independent expert, finally, as this is your last interactive dialogue, as independent expert, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your active engagement and wish you all the best for your future endeavours. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ambassador. I give the floor to the rapporteur to respond to the comments and questions made. Go ahead, Madam Malla.

Thank you so much, everybody, for all your questions and your comments and for welcoming the report. I will try to group the questions because otherwise I will not manage in the remaining time. I would like also to thank Saudi Arabia for their engagement and for the Looking forward to implement, uh, my recommendations, I stand ready to support you in all your endeavors, I would also like to thank Malaysia for their constructive dialogue, but I would also once again come back to that, the meaningful participation means that all… All the different stakeholders are engaged and that the draft is shared in advance with, if the draft is, of the bill is not shared in advance, it's quite hard to get all the stakeholders in the loop. Furthermore, there were a couple of questions asked in regard of ageism in the labor market and in social protection. From my point of view, as we said in the beginning, when older persons are not seen as rights holders, but more as recipients of benefits, this must be changed. We need to have this swift change here. If you include in your laws and get rid of all the ageist and age discrimination clauses there. I think this is one of the first step, and then to ensure that all the contributions of older persons are valued in the same way as all the others. I would also like to say once again that technology can be a very positive part to give older persons access to social security and the labor market, but we also know that this could be an obstacle and another barrier. So therefore, I would urge all those of you who support the technological advancements to bring in focal points which support older persons in their endeavor to access these tools, engaging in lifelong learning opportunities, but also maybe to give them a standby persons who support them as focal points on the national level. Employers should also be encouraged to really create age inclusive and age diverse workplaces. We very often see that this is not embedded when it comes to hiring older persons. They don't have the equal opportunities to get the job. They don't have the chance to participate in dialogues. At the same time, anti-discrimination laws must also be strengthened. I know that the European Union is very supportive of age discrimination in the labor market, but we also need to see what is the outcome on the national level. The remedies must be strengthened, also the processes in regard what do you get if you go to the court in these causes needs to be strengthened to ensure that older persons have a real chance on the labor market and don't further are part of the age discrimination strategies we very often see. Another important theme I want to stress is that ageism and all the negative assumption have a negative impact on the inclusion of older persons and also on their contributions. Older persons very often, as said before, face difficulties to get the information and the benefits and to get support. There are a lot of older people who are not able to get their allowances because they don't know how to are, how to act in the circumstances, how to deal with the administration. And if this is something where we don't get support for them because on the digitalization, it might really lead to more barriers in the situation. I thank you here, and I know that I have another four minutes for the last stop.

Thank you. We'll continue the list of speakers.

Give the floor to Oman.

Madam Vice President, my delegation has taken due note of the report put together by the independent expert on the intersectionality of the rights of older persons to social protection and the right to employment. We reaffirm our unwavering position to improve the quality of life of older persons in order to empower this bracket of the society to actively participate in the society based on the social values of the Omani society and in line with the Omani Vision 2040 and in consistency with the relevant international and regional trends, the Sultanate of Oman has made strides in terms of social protection, the social protection system, including monthly allowances to be paid for the older persons in order to realize a minimum social protection level while providing them with assistive devices to live in dignity, in addition to setting a plan that pays attention to the special needs of the older bracket. dignified, major steps have been taken to realize dignity for the older persons within the framework of the social protection system. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Nepal.

Madam Vice-President, Nepal thanks the independent expert for presenting the report on the intersection between older persons' right to social protection and right to work.

The Constitution of Nepal guarantees senior citizens the right to special protection and social security.

According to the 2021 census, 4% of the population of Nepal comprises of persons of age 70 and above, and over 90% of them benefit from the non-contributory social security measures. The courts provide free legal services to economically disadvantaged senior citizens. In public transport, seats are reserved for senior citizens and fares are reduced by 50%. In addition, senior citizens Service centers have been established at local levels with the view to promoting intergovernmental transfer of knowledge, skills, and experience. Madam Vice President, the availability, adequacy, and accessibility of social protection measures and obtain or retain employment for senior citizens remain key challenges. In this context, we would like to hear from Madam Independent Expert on ways to further enhance senior citizens' access to social protection and employment. I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor now to the United Arab Emirates.

Yeah. What's going on, Pence?

The UAE has adopted a federal law of number 9 of 2019 on the rights of all the persons. to protect their rights to social protection and medical care, including house medical service, home medical service and mobility. Based on this comprehensive legislative framework, a comprehensive policy has been developed to continue the effort, the contribution to the society. This is based on seven main pillars, the medical, most notably the medical support and financial stability and participation in sports activities. In this respect, a Masara card has been issued to provide special benefits to older persons, as well as providing waivers to business owners. In this respect, we commit ourselves to supporting the international community to strengthen the rights of all the persons within a coherent society that ensures welfare to all its individuals.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Djibouti.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Djibouti endorses the statement delivered by the African Group. We would like to thank the independent expert for presenting her report, which contains a thematic analysis of the link between the right of older persons to work and their right to social protection. My delegation welcomes your report examining the right of older persons to social security and which also focuses on the various guarantees and support which is necessary to allow them to fully enjoy their right to social protection. My delegation shares your view furthermore that access to work and social protection are closely linked and that a lack of support and social benefits mean that many older persons continue to work in the informal sector. My delegation also recognizes that ageism and age-based discrimination could, in certain contexts, lead to discriminatory practices in legal and political frameworks based on strongly entrenched stereotypes. Madam rapporteur, your report also suggest that we should guarantee social protection and right to work. What measures would you propose to ensure that?

Thank you.

Thank you. Dominican Republic has the floor.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Dominican Republic reiterates its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of older persons. Our country faces swift demographic change. 13% of the population is aged over 60, and by the middle of the century, that figure will rise to 20%. That's why we've strengthened the social security system, notably by extending basic pensions, promoting preventive health and creating community spaces for active ageing. But there's still a lot of challenges. Over half the people live in, sorry, I beg your pardon, work in the informal sector and Older women face double discrimination because they devote more time to non-remunerated care work and they end up with lower pensions and a greater risk of poverty. We reiterate that social protection is a human right. We welcome your mandate and we believe we should work towards a legally binding international instrument which guarantees equality, dignity and safety for all all older persons, particularly older women.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Gambia.

Madam Vice-President, the Gambia aligns with the statement of the African Group delivered by Ghana and thank the independent expert for her dedicated engagement with the Council throughout her mandate, including the report under consideration today. We note with concern the global challenge of ageism in the labor market, limiting older persons' ability to remain active, secure livelihoods, and contribute their skills and experience. Such discrimination compounds existing inequalities and undermines the right of older persons to work in dignity. At the national level, the Gambia's recent ratification of the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons demonstrates our commitment to protect the rights and welfare of this individuals. Our national social protection policy 2015-2025 also prioritizes older persons among all other vulnerable groups. In addition, various pension schemes such as the public service pension scheme and the federated pension scheme and the national provident fund are all geared towards ensuring the dignity and welfare of older persons. We echo the IE's call to combat age discrimination, ensure adequate pensions, and strengthen protection frameworks. In this regard, we welcome the recent HRC resolution 58/13 mandating the elaboration of a new international convention on the rights of older persons. The Gambia is proud to be part of the core group championing this process and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to uphold the dignity, equality, and rights of older persons in all aspects of life. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the Ambassador of Montenegro. Madam, you have the floor.

President, we thank the independent expert, Maler, for her sober report. Madam Maler, your findings are a stark reminder that older persons continue to be denied their most basic rights, the right to social protection and the right to work, rights enshrined in international law, yet too often disregarded in practice. Older persons worldwide continue to face systemic inequalities and deepening disparities. Those subject to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, such as older women, persons with disabilities, migrants, indigenous people, ethnic minorities, LGBT persons, refugees, and IDPs are particularly at risk of exclusion and abuse. This injustice cannot be ignored. States must meet their human rights obligation by ensuring social protection systems that are available, adequate, and accessible, and by taking decisive measures to combat ageism in the labor market. Anything less constitutes a violation of human rights. A paradigm shift is also urgently needed. Older persons must no longer be perceived as a burden, but recognized as right holders and contributors to society. Their diversity must be respected and policies must move beyond one-size-fits-all approach, a right based intersectional and life course approach to aging is the only path to ensuring dignity, equality and autonomy in old age. We must now turn words into action. Montenegro, therefore, reiterates its support for the development of a legally binding international instrument to safeguard the rights of older persons, including their rights to social protection and to work. Anything less would fall short of justice. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. I'd now like to call on the delegation of Ukraine.

Thank you, Madam President. We thank the independent expert for their tireless work in advancing the protection of the human rights of older persons. Ukraine continues to face the devastating consequences of Russia's unprovoked war of aggression. Older persons, who deserve to live with dignity and in peace, are instead subjected to unimaginable suffering. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly one-third of all civilian deaths in Ukraine have been elderly. Many are unable to escape Russian attacks due to limited mobility, disabilities, or chronic illnesses. Russia's systematic assaults on civilian infrastructure have deprived them of food, water, medicine, and shelter. Hospitals and care facilities have been deliberately struck, leaving the most vulnerable without life-saving treatment. The cruelty of this aggression was again revealed on 9 September 2025, when Russia struck the village of Yarova in Donetsk region at the very moment when pensioners had gathered to receive their pension payments. The strike killed 24 civilians and wounded 18 others. Most were elderly. We urge the Council and independent experts to pay particular attention to these grave violations, to ensure accountability and to uphold justice for the incident, innocent victims. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. The next speaker is Philippines, you have the floor.

Madam Vice-President, we thank the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons for her report. A significant and often overlooked challenge for a growing segment of the world's population, older persons, is the dual predicament of inadequate social protection and substantial barriers to meaningful labour force participation. Age-based discrimination in the labour market and insufficient pension coverage often lead to poverty among older persons, especially those with intersecting vulnerabilities. A rights-based approach to addressing the pervasive problem shows that the right to work and the right to social protection are mutually reinforcing.

Everyone should be able to live in dignity, equality and autonomy in old age.

This means ending ageism and ensuring older persons equal access to decent jobs and social protection. While important progress has been made, substantial normative and implementation gaps remain. We urge States to actively and constructively participate in the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons pursuant to HRC 58/13, which the Philippines is proud to have shepherded last year.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. I'd now like to call on Vietnam.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Vietnam currently has 16 million older persons accounted for 16% of the population. The rights of older persons are enshrined in our constitution and detailed in our law on the elderly, underscoring the traditional value of respecting and caring for older persons. Vietnam also strengthens its international commitment in this regard and has co-sponsored resolution 58/13 that initiated the process on a legally binding instrument on the promotion and protection of the human rights of older person. Taking note of the independent expert's report, we would appreciate your further elaboration on, first, how can we ensure sufficient job opportunities and anti-discrimination measures for older persons, especially in developing countries? Second, what is the best method to strengthen social protection system to ensure access to reliable and adequate income for older persons? Third, what specific policies and incentives can be implemented to expand social protection coverage for older persons worked in informal economy? I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now call on Cyprus.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Cyprus aligns itself with the statement by the EU and thanks the independent expert for her report. The right to social protection and the right to work are fundamental to ensuring the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of older persons. Social protection mechanisms such as pensions, healthcare access, and financial support play a crucial role in safeguarding an adequate standard of living. Unfortunately, significant gaps exist in legal and policy frameworks, with many older persons facing poverty, discrimination, negative stereotyping, and exclusion from the labor market as well as pension schemes. Discussions on existing legislative and operational gaps, as well as possible solutions, have been extensive. We believe that strengthening and implementing existing norms that recognize the specific challenges related to aging, while at the same time removing ageist provisions in legislation, will serve as a tool for their empowerment and protection. A legally binding instrument, such as that included in Resolution 5813, will be instrumental in this respect. Ms. Marler. What additional measures do you feel will be needed to ensure that women, especially from minority groups, can retain the minimum level of social protection? I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. The delegation of China has the floor.

The delegation of China welcomes the independent expert's report on the intersection between the social protection and work rights of the elderly. The elderly are a precious asset of the State. I'm sorry, I think we have a problem with the translation.

Yes, interpretation is not working. So can you give us a second and then you should restart from the beginning. We can the floor.

Madam Vice President, China welcomes the independent experts report focusing on the intersection between older persons' right to social protection and their right to work. Older persons are a valuable national asset. Respecting them is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation, and caring for them a shared responsibility of the entire society. In response to an aging population, China has implemented a proactive national strategy to enhance the well-being of older persons through the silver economy, while continuously improving social assistance and welfare services. As of the end of 2024, there were 406,000 elderly care institutions nationwide with 49.5 million people receiving old age allowances. Last April, led by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, several agencies jointly issued the guidance on supporting social participation of older persons to promote active aging to provide the group with quality and efficient career services. Effectively addressing population aging is a long-term strategic task for China. China stands ready to work with all parties to promote aging-related initiatives in tandem with socioeconomic progress, further enhance the well-being of older persons, better recognize their value, and improve their quality of life to ensure aging with security, support, joy, and peace of mind. Thank you, Vice President.

Thank you very much.

The next speaker is Vanuatu.

Thank you, Mr. President. Vanuatu welcomes the report of the independent expert. In our Pacific context, older persons are more than beneficiaries of service. They are pillars of families and communities, preserving knowledge, culture, and social cohesion. It is therefore essential that social protection systems not only provide income security, but also empower families and communities to support older persons in ways that are culturally rooted and sustainable. We also stress the right of older persons to continue working if they wish, free from age discrimination and in any conditions of dignity. In Vanuatu, many elders remain active in farming, crafts, and community leadership. Policies must therefore value their contributions and provide flexible work opportunities. Climate change and economic shocks pose particular risks for older persons in island nations. For these reasons, social protection must be resilient and community-based, ensuring that no elder is left behind during crises. Finally, Vanuatu calls for stronger international cooperation, including progress towards a convention on the rights of older persons, so that families, communities and governments alike can better uphold these rights. I thank you.

Thank you very much.

We'll continue now with Malta. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Malta aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the independent expert for her report. It is regrettable that older persons worldwide continue to face serious challenges in the enjoyment of their rights to social protection and to work. Malta has been working towards combating this trend. Our national active aging strategy provides mechanisms that support lifelong financial planning and strengthens measures to ensure adequate pensions and access to social services. Nationally, a commission for active aging was set up, which includes representatives from different ministries and non-governmental organizations representing older persons. This national commission is tasked with advising the government on how older persons can remain engaged in society, continue to work, live independently, and most importantly, mitigate challenges like ageism, abuse, and social exclusion. In conclusion, could you please mention a few best practices in relation to ensuring that social protection policies safeguard adequate levels of social well-being for older persons?

I thank you.

Thank you very much. I'd now like to give the floor to Nigeria.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Nigeria thanks Ms. Claudia Muller for her report and takes note of the recommendations therein. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects globally, impacting people in every nation, and older persons were among the most vulnerable. We share the concern highlighted in the report regarding the heightened vulnerabilities of older persons, particularly those living in rural and remote areas. To address these challenges, Nigeria has taken concrete steps to protect and promote the rights of older persons. The National Senior Citizens Centre was established to coordinate and implement policies and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for older persons. The 2023 National Policy on Aging addresses the multidimensional challenges faced by older persons, including social, health, economic, and financial constraints. Furthermore, Nigeria ratified the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the rights of older persons in 2023, reinforcing our commitment to preventing discrimination, ensuring access to healthcare and social protection, and prioritizing older persons in humanitarian emergencies. Pension reforms have also been implemented including the recent approval of increased pension payments in August 2025. Finally, Nigeria remains committed to ensuring older persons live with dignity and security and inclusion through sustained collaborative efforts, including through the elaboration of an international instrument on the rights of older persons. I thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Poland.

Madam Vice President, Poland aligns itself with the EU statement. We fully support the independent expert's mandate, and we thank her for the presentation of the report. Madam Vice President, empowering older persons and strengthening their role in society remains a priority of Poland's social policy. We recognize that extending older persons' professional activity contributes to their individual well-being and addresses some demographic challenges.

Thanks to introducing various incentives for employers, Poland managed to achieve an impressive 51% increase in the number of working pensioners over the past nine years. However, extended professional activity must respect the rights of older persons to autonomy, dignity, and self-determination.

This requires A comprehensive approach that Poland is committed to, ensuring safe working conditions, providing access to quality and affordable services and opportunities to fully participate in social life. Adam, independent expert.

The report concludes that the lower retirement age for women constitutes discrimination based on both age and gender, and that early retirement leads to reduced pension benefits for women.

At the same time, raising the retirement age faces significant social resistance in Poland.

Therefore, it is essential to promote voluntary professional activity for as long as possible. What solutions would you propose to reconcile these two positions?

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We thank the independent expert for her valuable report. Her analysis highlights critical issues often overlooked, such as structural inequalities, persistent ageism and inadequate policies that undermine the dignity and rights of older persons. We are particularly concerned about the gender pension gap disproportionately affecting older women, as well as the compounded challenges faced by older persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. In this regard, we echo the experts' call for universal and adequate pension systems and age-inclusive labor policies. Our societies are aging rapidly, with over 2 billion people projected to be over 60 by 2050. Our response to this demographic shift must reflect our commitment to equality and human rights. Investing in inclusive labour markets is both a legal and moral imperative to ensure that no one is left behind. In the case of my country, North Macedonia, recent amendments to the law on employment for the first time allow pensioners to work without losing their pension benefits, offering greater choice and inclusion. Madam independent, independent experts, what other immediate steps can states undertake to effectively counter ageism in the labor market?

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Marley. Madam Vice-President, Marley endorses the statements delivered by the groups that it belongs to. We'd like to thank the independent expert for her report on the interaction between the right of older persons to social protection and their right to work. We share your opinion that states should draft and implement laws, policies and programmes which ensure that older persons can benefit from social protection and equal access to the labour market and that these actions be properly funded. It's with this in mind that in 2009, the government of Mali established an obligatory health insurance scheme, which covers health costs, outpatient care, the purchase of medicine, admission to hospital, as well as medical coverage of persons who don't have enough income, and this benefits older persons as well. And even if we don't have unemployment insurance yet in Mali, in 2001, the National Employment Agency was created, and its work benefits older persons. It collects, centralizes, analyzes, and disseminates data on the labor market, job offers, provides guidance to job seekers, promotes self-employment, and implements vocational training and retraining.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. I now call on Mexico.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Mexico thanks the independent expert for her report and we reiterate our commitment to leave no one behind. We foster inclusive and universal social protection systems which recognise the dignity and rights of older persons. We have implemented a universal pension supplement for people over 65. This is recognised as a constitutional right and benefits over 12 million people today. Similarly, in view of the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by women, as well as the lack of job opportunities, the wage gap, and the unequal distribution of care and support tasks, we created the women's welfare pension for women aged between 60 and 64 to economically empower them, during that period of their life. These programmes are nationwide. They include rural indigenous communities without intermediaries in order to reduce poverty. We are also creating a national care system. It is progressive, intersectoral and addresses the needs of various groups, including older persons. Madam Independent Experts, what are the private sector's responsibilities for preventing and combating the inequality and discrimination faced by older persons? Thank you.

Thank you very much. We'll now switch to the list of speakers from national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. So let's kick off with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Thank you.

Mr. President, members of the Human Rights Council, and independent expert on older persons. Ethiopia has prepared a draft law on older persons and ratified the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa. Despite the legislative measures, economic challenges such as high inflation and weak social protection have disproportionately affected older persons, many of whom are not engaged in income-generating activities. Conflicts, insecurity and natural disasters have exacerbated the vulnerability of older persons in affected regions. Displaced older persons living in camps are exposed to direct attacks which threaten their safety and well-being. Poor documentation of older persons' needs contributes to their exclusion from enjoyment of their rights. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission urges the government and partners to strengthen targeted interventions that address the specific vulnerabilities of older persons, including enhancing social protection mechanisms, guaranteeing the safety and the dignity of older persons in displacement and the conflict settings, and fully integrating their needs into development planning. I thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the Philippines Commission on Human Rights.

Excellencies, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines comments Dr. Mahler's report, which particularly resonates with the human rights situation of older persons in the Philippines and abroad. Our research revealed that 63% of senior citizens in the Philippines receive monthly pension, yet 74% of them find it insufficient to meet basic needs. They must continue working long past retirement age, yet they often face low wages, precarious employment, limited training opportunities and age-based discrimination. Social protection floors must guarantee a livable pension, but they must also reinforce older workers' access to age-inclusive jobs without both older persons are trapped in a cycle of poverty and exclusion. We therefore call all member states to combat workplace ageism and age discrimination through awareness campaigns and legal remedies. Index pensions to inflation and expand non-contributory social pensions to reach every vulnerable older person. And invest in retraining and flexible work schemes that value the skills and experience of older persons. We remind Member States to continue supporting Human Rights Council resolution 58/13, that established an open-ended intergovernmental working group tasked with the elaboration of a legally binding international instrument on the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons, for they are rights holders, entitled to full enjoyment of their human rights. Maraming salamat po.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Nigeria National Human Rights Commission.

Chair of the panel and distinguished panelists, we thank the independent expert for her comprehensive report and for spotlighting the persistent challenges faced by older persons globally. In Nigeria, while significant progress has been made, notably with the approval of the National Policy on Aging in 2021, and the establishment of the National Senior Citizen Center, older persons still face economic exclusion, age-based discrimination, and limited access to essential services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The National Senior Citizen Center is mandated to promote the rights and dignity of older persons through policies on income security, health care, social inclusion, and training opportunity. However, implementation remains uneven due to limited funding, awareness gaps, and infrastructural deficits at state and local levels. Our institution commits to monitor and support efforts towards integrating the rights of older persons into national and.

Subnational development plans.

We urge increased interagency coordination and acceleration of ratification of the AU Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons. We also call on international partners.

To support the digital assistance, community-based care models and anti-discrimination campaigns to reinforce the social protection architecture for the elderly. I thank you.

Thank you very much. For a joint statement, German National Association of Senior Citizens Organizations.

To the independent expert. During your term of office, you have worked tirelessly to promote the rights of older people worldwide. Like you, the German National Association of Senior Citizens Organization, member of GAROP, calls for a secure material basis to enable all older people.

To live in dignity.

Beyond these material basics, Conditions conducive to social and political participation appropriate for older people are also needed. As older people, we want equal opportunities without ageism, without discrimination, in terms of work and leisure, in our private lives, in society and politics, digital and analogue, in the villages and communities where we live, and at regional, national and international level. Therefore, we also urge to be included as equal partners in the intergovernmental working group tasked with elaborating a legally binding instrument for the rights of older people.

Thank you. Thank you.

Joint statement, International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse.

Thank you.

IMPEA makes this statement on behalf of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People and its over 400 members, bringing the voices of older.

Persons from around the world.

We welcome the Independent Expert's report and urge the Council to renew the mandate at this session.

We endorse the Independent Expert's recommendation that States support development of the international treaty on the rights of older persons.

And ensure it protects the rights to social protection of older persons in all their diversity. We also urge Member States to include older persons, their representative organizations and civil society representatives as equal participants alongside States.

In drafting and negotiating the forthcoming treaty.

The inclusion of persons with disabilities in drafting the Disability Convention offers an important precedent. It embodied the principle of "nothing about us without us" and led to a stronger, more legitimate outcome.

Only full and equal participation will result in a new convention.

That is truly responsive to the widespread human rights violations older persons face, ensuring that older persons in all their diversity age with rights.

The United Nations should make adequate and timely resources available to ensure a fully inclusive process.

I thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you. Joint statement from HelpAge USA. You have the floor.

We align ourselves to the statement presented on behalf of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People. We welcome the independent experts report and call on the Council to renew the experts mandate. We fully support the recommendation that states advance the development of the international legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons, ensuring that it guarantees the right to social protection for older persons in all their diversity and explicitly bans age-based discrimination. The Council took a historic step by establishing the intergovernmental working group to draft a new convention on the rights of older persons. Now the work is about to begin, but to be credible, this drafting process must be participatory, transparent, and grounded in the lived experiences of older persons everywhere. We therefore call on member states to guarantee the full and meaningful participation of older persons and their representative organizations, including non-ECOSOC accredited. Their voices must be heard from the outset. Enable remote and hybrid participation, ensuring transparency and global inclusiveness. The United Nations should also make adequate and timely resources available to ensure a fully inclusive process. This convention is urgently needed. Its foundations will only be strong if older people themselves are at the heart of the process from the very beginning. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Samba Hale Trust.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. We appreciate the opportunity to address this vital session on the rights and dignity of older persons. Globally, older persons face discrimination, exclusion, and human rights violations daily. Their vulnerabilities in health care, social security, and protection demand urgent attention. At Sambhavi, respect for the elderly is a cornerstone of our work. While our primary focus is on empowering marginalized women and children, we also uphold the dignity of elders through integrated social, health, and legal support. In Rajasthan, more than 77,000 individuals, including many elders, have received tailored assistance to ensure their well-being, safety, and empowerment. India has also advanced the rights of older persons through policies such as the Maintenance and Welfare Senior Citizens Act 2007 and the National Policy on Older Persons. These frameworks strengthen elder rights to healthcare, shelter, and protection. The government continues to expand welfare schemes like the Rashtriya Vayushree Yojana and the Elder Helpline to ensure support and inclusion. Madam Vice President, we commend the United Nations for initiating the drafting of an international treaty on the rights of older persons. We urge the UN to further strengthen protection and amplify the voices of elders worldwide, ensuring their dignity and inclusion are respected in every community. Thank you, Madam Vice President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. Next is China Great Wall Society.

Mr. President, expert delegates, on behalf of the International Patriarchal organization, I strongly support the report of the independent experts. Our organization is committed to promoting a just and peaceful international order and follows closely the rights and interests of old people globally. We have noted that the U.S. faces challenges in safeguarding the rights of older people, including disparities in medical coverage, insufficient pension provisions, and social isolation. Certain policies may even indirectly infringe upon those rights, such as a reduction in Social Security spending, restriction on Medicare. We call on the U.S. to acknowledge these problems and take effective measures to improve social protection and working conditions for older people. We hope, at the same time, that as an important member of the international community, the U.S. will actively fulfill its international responsibilities by respecting and protecting the rights of older persons, thus setting an example for the whole world in this regard. Our organization will continue to uphold the principle of justice and peace, actively promote the international cooperation and exchange in the protection of older persons' rights. We firmly believe that only through collective efforts can international community build a more just and inclusive environment for older persons. Finally, we invite your attention to the international patriotic pact that we have drafted, which aims to foster a harmonious global framework for safeguarding the rights and interests of older persons. Let's work together for their well-being. Thank you.

Thank.

You. Give the floor to International Federation on Aging.

Thank you, Vice President. International Federation on Aging, a global network of members across 80 countries, and the AGO Committee on Aging, Geneva. We warmly welcome the timely and powerful report of the independent expert, Dr. Claudia Mahler, on the intersection between older persons' right to social protection and the right to work. We fully support the report's call to uphold the economic, social, and political rights of older persons, not as a matter of charity, but as a matter of justice, a matter of social justice, and a matter of inclusive development. In a world where older persons continue to face systematic exclusion, including from labor markets, digital platforms, and decision-making spaces, the recognition of these rights is urgent and overdue. Dr. Males' analysis reinforces what civil society has long observed, that current protections are fragmented and many older persons, particularly women, those with disabilities, indigenous populations, migrants, refugees, and those living in rural areas or working in the informal economy or in conflict or catastrophes, remain invisible in law and policy. Madam Vice President, we therefore echo Dr. Malle's support conclusion. The time has come for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, a convention which will consolidate existing standards, affirm the right to work and social protection across the life course, and ensure legal accountability.

This council... Muchas gracias.

Thank you. I'm going to move to the next speaker, and that is AKAHATA, Team Work on Sexuality in the Civil Society Association.

Thank you. I deliver this statement on behalf of the Initiative for Sexual Rights. We welcome the emphasis in the report on the fact that social protection is a human right and on its gender perspective, which shows the impact on pensions of the gender pay gap and the interruption of careers due to childbirth and the unequal distribution of care work. Pensions have to be sufficient to guarantee a decent standard of living. However, in many countries we've seen setbacks due to adjustment policies, debt payments and neoliberal policies. For example, Argentina, where pensions are too low and a moratorium has now been council, which did benefit persons without sufficient contributions, especially women. Moreover, there are violations of the right to protest for older persons, which are systematically suppressed using tear gas, truncheons and rubber bullets in a grave anti-democratic twist. Although the report tackles intersectionality, we regret that it fails to talk about sex workers, who are systematically excluded from the social protection system due to criminalisation, stigma and lack of legal recognition for their work. This exclusion leads to a complete lack of access to pensions, medical insurance or economic support, a situation which is felt all the more sharply in old age. We urge States to guarantee decent universal pensions without discrimination of any kind. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Make Mothers Matter.

WOMEN MATTER welcomes the report of the independent expert, which rightly highlights gender inequalities in older persons' right to social protection and work. However, we regret the lack of.

Emphasis on a key root cause, the unequal distribution of unpaid domestic and care work.

This gender care gap underpins the gender pay gap and leads to interrupted careers, forced part-time or informal work, all conditions that result in lower income, weaker access to social protection and reduced pensions for women. Women, especially mothers, are overrepresented among those with, I quote, "frequently interrupted working lives," end of quote. This fact must be acknowledged if we are to address the specific discriminations and hurdles faced by mothers, namely the motherhood penalty and its impact on women's economic security in old age. The increased risk of poverty faced by older women is directly linked to a lifetime of disproportionate share of unpaid care work, including caregiving that often continues into old age as they support older relatives and grandchildren. We therefore urge Member States to first recognize, measure and address the motherhood penalty, second, to build care systems and policies that value and support unpaid care work and that redistribute it fairly.

Between men and women and across society. Thank you.

Thank you. Joint statement, New Humanity.

Madam Vice President, New Humanity of the Focolare Movement and the co-signed NGOs appreciate the report of the independent expert, Dr. Claude Malherbe, on older persons, namely the conclusion that social protection systems tend to fail to meet the needs of older persons in most countries and that pensions are frequently insufficient to ensure an adequate standard of living. Respecting life means protecting the elderly who are an asset to society. It is crucial to prevent their marginalization and ensure they receive adequate social protection. The role of the family as primary carer must be reinforced while recognizing the responsibility of the state and civil society to provide resources. We acknowledge the vital contribution of culture and the religions associations, which provide material, emotional, social, and spiritual support. These associations are key players in ensuring the comprehensive protection of older persons. We fully agree that older people are rights, older contributors and valuable members of society. And we will be constructively engaging in efforts to develop an international legally binding instrument to ensure the rights of older persons, including their social protection.

Thank you, Ms. Vice President.

Thank you very much. Next is Gulf Center for Human Rights Limited.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Gulf Center for Human Rights and Al-Qaws for Human Rights welcome the independent expert's visit to Saudi Arabia. Such visits are essential, particularly given their rarity due to the Saudi authorities' routine denial of access to independent observers. As the independent expert has noted with regret, we strongly deplore the Saudi authorities' refusal to grant her access to several older persons arbitrarily detained at the Al-Hayer Prison. This constitutes a serious breach of the visit's terms of reference. As a result, the visit to Al-Hayer Prison offered only a carefully managed and partial view. While the report highlights the quality of some facilities, it fails to reflect the reality experienced by arbitrarily detained individuals, such as prominent preacher Salman al-Ouda, who is 68, who have endured severe mistreatment, including medical neglect. Tragically, prominent human rights defender Dr. Abdullah al-Hamid died in custody at the age of 69 following repeated denials of necessary medical care. We echo the independent expert's concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the number, health status, and legal grounds for the detention of older persons. As she rightly states, this opacity severely undermines accountability and independent monitoring efforts. The independent expert further noted that most domestic care workers are bound by the kafala system of sponsorship to their employer, which exposes them to a high risk of economic and physical abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. We urge the Saudi authorities to implement the independent experts' recommendations in full, including reviewing the legality of all detentions involving older persons and immediately releasing those whose detention has been deemed arbitrary by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and to provide labor rights for all migrant workers. Thank you.

Thank you.

That was the last speaker that we could accommodate for this dialogue. I'd like to give the floor then to the expert, Madam Marla, for her concluding observations. Go ahead, please.

Thank you so much. I would really like to thank you all for your engagement, contributions, and sharing good examples, and also for your questions. I will try to answer them as many as possible in my remaining time, and I would also like to thank those who have listed up and signed up which did not manage to raise their voice in the interactive dialogue. To guarantee all the persons' rights to work, states must really combat ageism, challenge negative stereotypes about older workers and abolish mandatory retirement ages. Recruiting process, including digital platforms, must be inclusive and accessible with support for digital literacy and lifelong learning, otherwise older persons cannot engage. In regard to ensure that older persons are part of the labour market, it is really needed to tackle this on a very flexible basis. Formal and informal work should be valued, including to lead to social benefits. The approach one-size-fits-all does not do the trick. To combat ageism, the private sector must also be included and tackled to accountable. Older persons are also needed by the labor market due to the shortage of skilled workers. We have a couple of examples. I cannot name them right now, but if you're interested, I'm happy to forward them. I recommend strengthening non-contributory pension schemes, expanding coverage to those excluded from formal employment, and taking into account the specific risks of groups in vulnerable situations. Furthermore, adopting targeted measures to close the inequalities accumulate over the life course is needed. By ensuring a universal minimum social protection, including non-contributory pensions, Adjust social protection regularly to match cost of living and wage growth, preventing older persons from poverty. Flexible contribution scheme may be crucial for self-employed and informal older workers. I recommend that States enhance social protection for older persons by ensuring adequacy, accessibility, and broad coverage of benefits. integrating contributory and non-contributory schemes and recognizing informal work and caregiving in pension calculation to prevent poverty in old age and taking into account gender lens. I call for the removal of discriminatory laws and ageist barriers, the adoption of gender-positive and disability-inclusive policies to address intersecting inequalities, and measures to close wage and pension gaps, particularly for older women. We also must ensure that this gender pay gap is still tackled. States should ensure that older persons belonging to indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, including Sinti and Roma, have equal access to social protection by addressing the barriers that low employment rates and informal work create for contributory pensions. This October, I will be reporting to the General Assembly, presenting my report on older persons in armed conflict. The report identifies the unique challenges faced by older persons in armed conflict during occupation, including barriers to access essential services, discrimination in the humanitarian response, and systematic barriers to this protection. I would really like to thank you all for your engagement. over the years with the mandate and personally with me. I learned a lot from all of you here in the room and also online, and I'm really looking forward to working with you in a different capacity. I'm also very grateful for your positive contributions And I would also like to see, um, that we further engage and also working together in the criticize, in the criticism we have with member states. Thank you so much for your attention and for your contributions.

Thank you.

That brings us to the end of the interactive dialogue. Madam Claudia Mahler, coming to the end of your mandate as independent expert on older persons, I wish to take this opportunity to express on behalf of the Council our deep gratitude for the valuable contributions you have made to the work of the Council for so many years. And obviously we wish you every success in your future endeavours. Thank you very much. We'll take a short break, very short break, before holding the Interact next dialogue. Excellencies, colleagues, we will now begin the interactive dialogue with the working group on peasants. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I will now give the floor to Carlos Duarte to present the report. Go ahead, please.

Muchísimas gracias, señora President.

Thank you very much, Madam Vice President. Madam Vice President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to present the second thematic report of the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Rural Workers. The report results from broad consultations following two calls for contributions in 2024 and 2025, which were added to by a number of valuable online debates and technical visits to provide us with support. I'd like to thank all those that were involved. Since our earlier report, we've concluded that whilst there is growing hope as more countries recognize the rights contained in the Declaration on Peasants and Rural Workers in their constitutions and laws, there's also a worrying trend of threats to rural communities. Our report shows both the challenges and positive steps taken by states to improve the situation. Before we move on to global challenges affecting peasants, we must first of all state our unwavering solidarity with peasants, fishers and Bedouins in Palestine. Not only are they facing devastating dispossession and colonisation in the West Bank, but also the serious threat of genocide in Gaza. Against this critical situation, silence is not an option. All states have a legal obligation to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. We would also like to praise the courageous work of our colleague Francesca Albanese, who's committed to defending the human rights of Palestinians. This is a powerful example of responsibility for us all. Madam Vice President, rural communities have complex and essential relations with their territories, farmland, woods, rivers, oceans and coastal areas, which are the basis of their livelihoods, cultures and identities. Without a doubt, their rights to land and territory are under constant attack. The erosion of the rights of peasants on land is a global phenomenon driven by systematic dispossession and weak legal protection. We see that there is dramatic concentration of land ownership Around the world, 1% of landowners exploit 70% of farmland, and the 50% who are poorest and rely on farming control only 3% of land. There are various worrying and interconnected trends, land grabs by companies extractive industry and agro industry displacing peasants without fair compensation. And the green grabbing 20% of all land purchases affected. It's supposed to be for environmental sustainability, carbon trading schemes and biodiversity, but it's displacing vulnerable communities and turning ecosystems into financial commodities. We're also worried about the connection between global hunger amongst rural communities, and there is growing wave of concentration of rural ownership and dispossession extending to rivers and seas. There is fierce competition for land and resources, and thus Rural workers that try to defend their rights face violence, criminalization, repression, and they are subject to arbitrary detention and judicial harassment and false accusations. This is driven also by climate change. Serious weather events destroy harvest and increase sea level, making it impossible to farm coastal lands. We see that rural workers are excluded from climate debates and on biodiversity. Exclusion, discrimination disproportionately affects rural women, and they face forms of oppression which are interconnected to gender, rurality and class. They're fighting for inclusion. Their participation is the theme of our report to be presented to the General Assembly next month. The right to food security, fair income and decent work is constantly being undermined by global market structures that put company profit ahead of rural livelihoods. Furthermore, rural workers often face serious violations of their labour rights with abusive salaries, hazardous working conditions and other rights to social protection and trade union freedoms. Many peasants are forced out of their land. They become migrant peasants. They face unsafe working conditions. They're criminalized and persecuted, despite the fact their work is vital for food security. in their host countries. We've seen the right to seeds is under threat. Intellectual property systems such as the UPOV are being used to privatize seeds and criminalize traditional practices of keeping, using and exchanging seeds. But we've seen some positive examples in Ecuador thanks to the constitution The constitution now includes the ratification of the UNDROP declaration. In Colombia, young people and women are able to take part in a special joint commission, and there is a new system for distributing traditional seeds in Brazil. In Kenya, the Supreme Court has stated that Yandrop can be used as a tool for interpreting the Constitution. Our recommendations to promote holistic land reform which is equitable, repeal laws used to criminalize freedom of expression and promote food security, and also repeal discriminatory practices against rural women. Today is the time to act, Madam President, so that there is dignified living conditions for peasants and rural workers. We hope that we will have a good interactive dialogue and proposals for cooperation and follow-up. Thank you very much.

I'd like to thank the chair rapporteur of the working group on the rights of peasants for presenting the report. I'd now like to invite interested delegations to ask questions and make comments on the report. As ever, the speaking time is one minute 30 seconds for all the first speakers. The delegation of the European Union, please go ahead.

Mr. President, the EU welcomes the report of the working group addressing global trends and challenges affecting peasants. Rural areas are essential contributors to the overall prosperity and economic strength, as well as to the green and digital transitions, as they assume a pivotal role in matters such as food production, environmental preservation, climate action, and the fostering of cultural heritage. Yet, social and economic developments of the past decades, including climate change, globalization, and urbanization, have left their mark also on rural areas, which are affected by aging populations, a lack of employment opportunities, as well as limited connectivity, infrastructure, or access to health service, and even malnutrition and food insecurity. Women represent a significant driving force for prosperity and social inclusion in rural areas. However, they are facing additional challenges and are in need for supporting measures to ensure equal tenure rights and access to land and natural resources and to integrate informal labor markets. The EU's external action aims to promote the right of rural workers in incorporating human rights principle into relevant policies. The EU funds work to combat exploitative practices, address poverty, and improve livelihoods in rural areas, emphasizing the decent working conditions and fundamental freedoms of rural workers globally.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Ghana on behalf of the Group of African States. You have the floor. Please go ahead.

Madam Vice President, the African Group thanks the working group for its comprehensive report. In Africa, where the majority of the population directly depends on subsistence, agriculture and rural activities, the issues identified are of particular concern. Our peasants and rural communities remain the guarantors of food security, poverty reduction and sustainable resource management, yet they continue to face persistent and multidimensional challenges. The report usefully The report usefully recalls that land insecurity, gender inequalities, the criminalization of peasant defenders, as well as the impact of climate change and environmental degradation, seriously hinder the effective enjoyment of their rights. These structural obstacles directly affect the livelihoods and rural communities and limit their contribution to sustainable development. In light of these challenges, the African Group calls for renewed commitment to the implementation of the 2018 declaration, including the adoption of adequate national legal and policy frameworks. We also stress the importance of effectively protecting peasants and peasant defenders, including from violence and criminalization. Finally, we underscore the need to empower rural women through targeted measures and ensure equal access to resources and economic opportunities. The African Group reaffirms its conviction that the protection of the rights of peasants is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. ensuring global food security and building more inclusive, equitable and resilient societies. I thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. The next speaker is the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We'd like to extend our greetings to Carlos Duarte, the chair rapporteur of the working group, as well as the other members. We'd like to thank you for all your efforts and for presenting the second thematic report, which reflects progress made in your mandate. You've explained global trends and systematic challenges to the rights contained in the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants. So these systematic challenges have become structural struggles for the movement, such as land grabbing, liberal reforms and the proliferation of land funds and investments, the green grabbing, violence, criminalisation, repression, stigma, public defamation and legal pressure, as well as a section on gender-based discrimination. The report also includes positive measures which have been adopted by States Thus, it's a proactive and constructive spirit with a view to strengthening the implementation of the declaration based on tangible experience on a wide range of subjects. We reiterate our commitment to the working group and we would like to express our full support for your future endeavors in the working group. Thank you very much.

Thank you. The next speaker is the United Republic of Tanzania.

Thank you. Madam Vice President, the United Republic of Tanzania thanks the working group on the plight of peasants and the other people working in rural areas for their update and constructive engagement. We reaffirm our commitment to cooperate full with the special procedure and to implement UNDROP, ensuring that conservation, climate action, and rural development are advanced together with the light, welfare, and dignity of peasants and rural workers. We take note of reference to global trends such as also so called green grab, Tanzania's environmental management control and the management of carbon trading regulation, require environmental and social impact assessment, free prior and informed consent, continuous community consultation, grievance, redress, equitable benefit sharing and ledge safeguards. No project can lawfully proceed without this condition. These safeguards prevent unlawful dispossession and corporate capture and ensure communities drive, really benefit from conservation and carbon initiative.

I thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Gambia. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Gambia welcomes the second report of the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. We thank members of the Working Group through the Chair Rapporteur for their dedicated efforts to advance the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. We share the concern that land grabbing, climate change, unfair trade systems, labor exploitation, and gender discrimination continue to undermine the rights of peasants and rural workers worldwide. These systemic challenges demand urgent, coordinated responses that place human rights and food sovereignty at the center. Madam Vice President, with nearly three quarters of our population depending on farming and related activities, the Gambia attaches great importance to agriculture, food security and rural livelihoods. Through policies such as the NDP Recovery 2023-2027 and the National Social Protection Policy 2015-2025, we are working to strengthen smallholder farmers' access to land, credit, markets and social protection, while empowering rural women and youth to fully participate in sustainable agricultural programs. The Gambia strongly supports the working group for calls for inclusive dialogue to ensure rural communities are heard, their rights respected, and their role in sustainable development recognized. I thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you very much. I would like to inform you that the list of speakers has now been closed. The next speaker is delegation of Cote d'Ivoire.

Madam Vice-President, Cote d'Ivoire endorses the statement made by the African Group. We'd like to thank the working group for its report, which examines the difficulties faced by peasants. My country is really concerned about the situation of peasants that are facing challenges such as financial pressure, market volatility, international competition and the impact of climate change, as well as the lack of social protection and resources to adapt to new constraints. Cote d'Ivoire depends to a large extent on farming, so we've strengthened the land ownership rights of peasants, notably of women, through programs such as the project to enhance and implement the rural land ownership policy, as well as the program to strengthen the land ownership rights. We also have a land ownership agency to implement these policies to make sure that rural land ownership is secure. All these initiatives strive to formalize customary rights, to facilitate resolution of land ownership conflicts, and to economically empower farmers, particularly women, through training, follow-up, and advocacy. Lastly, we call on the international community to work to improve the situation of peasants by implementing strategies to facilitate access of producers to markets, some funding. Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker on the list is UN-Habitat.

UN-Habitat welcomes the report of the working group and looks forward to working with Member States and other

partners in the analysis and implementation of its findings and recommendations. UN-Habitat, with FAO and the World Bank, is joint custodian for land-related indicators under the SDGs.

UN-Habitat provides an extensive program of land related technical assistance, including by hosting the secretariat of the Global Land Tool

Network.

UN-Habitat also provides a significant program of technical

assistance in rural urban linkages, which is important for the fulfillment of economic, social, and cultural rights for rural communities.

UN-Habitat welcomes the urgency attached to gender equality in land rights and takes the opportunity to note that experience globally demonstrates that legal and policy reform is not enough.

The cultural and economic drivers of gender asymmetries must also be addressed. UN-Habitat notes the importance of legal recognition of the social function of land and the

need to link this to effective land use planning processes as a means

of maintaining public policy direction and not allowing land use outcomes to be dominated by ownership and financial power. Despite the progressive land policy principles embodied in UNDROP, several multilateral agreements, and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines,

Land law remains a largely conservative institution based on exclusive use and ownership principles. Would the chair rapporteur wish to speculate

on the causes of this disconnect and what might be done to address it?

Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Azerbaijan.

Mr. President, we thank the Working Group for this report and for highlighting the pressing issues faced by peasants and rural workers worldwide. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the rights and livelihoods of people working in rural areas. We have undertaken comprehensive reforms to strengthen rural development, expand access to land and water, and modernize agricultural production. Special attention is given to women in rural areas, supporting their participation in decision-making, access to resources, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Azerbaijan women represent 44 percent of the workforce in agriculture. Given that 46 percent of our population live in rural areas, the government has implemented several initiatives to economically empower rural women, creating models that could serve as examples for other nations. As a result, the economic activity rate of women in Azerbaijan reached 61 percent. Today, Azerbaijan is actively engaged in rebuilding critical infrastructure for thousands of rural families returning to the liberated regions of my country. of the most pressing obstacles to the safe return and sustainable livelihoods of our rural population is the widespread contamination of agricultural land with landmines. Mine contamination not only threatens human security, but also severely hinders reconstruction, resettlement, and sustainable rural development. We remain committed to advancing the rights of peasants and rural workers, while drawing attention to the urgent challenge of mine contamination as a barrier to human rights, peace, and sustainable development. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now call on Cameroon.

Cameroon endorses a statement made by the African Group. We'd like to congratulate the working group on its report which highlights global trends and systemic challenges which undermine the rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and other persons working in rural areas. We have a large farming sector, and so Cameroon recognizes the vital role played by peasants in achieving food security, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development. In line with the declaration, my country is working to improve the living conditions for rural communities through technical support programs and also through funding and organizational support programs and reforms which strive to ensure more equitable access the land, water, seeds and markets. We're interested to note the concerns raised in the report about insecure land ownership, gender equalities, violence and criminalisation of peasant defenders, as well as the impact of climate change on livelihoods. These issues strengthen our belief of the need for inclusive measures and protection as well. In view of the challenges, we underscore the importance of international cooperation, sharing good practices, and additional support for developing countries so that we can effectively implement the declaration and consolidate the resilience of rural communities. Thank you very much.

I now call on the Ambassador of Colombia.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We thank the working group for its report. One of the greatest challenges in Colombia is the concentration of land ownership. One per cent of the largest farms account for 81 per cent of arable land, and the Gini coefficient on land ownership is 0.92. That is perhaps the highest in the world. Latin America as a whole it's 0.79. Following the 2016 peace agreement we've been pursuing comprehensive land reform with a huge task of redistributing 9 million hectares. So far the state has purchased over 600,000 hectares for the land fund and has handed over 232,000 to around 72,000 peasant families. We've also given land deeds for 1.7 million hectares. We have set up an agrarian court to resolve rural conflicts, and we have recognized peasants as a special protection group in our constitution. In addition to providing social justice, we also want to give sustainable alternatives to unlawful crops. That's why in February next year, we'll be holding the second International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development in Cartagena. We reiterate our cordial invitation to all states and civil society. We want to listen to your ideas and proposals at that event. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ambassador. The next speaker is Dominican Republic.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We'd like to congratulate the working group on its report, and we appreciate your recommendations. For the Dominican Republic, farming is not just a productive sector, but it's the basis of fundamental rights such as food, water, health and decent work. That's why We have declared agrarian reform to be of national interest and a bedrock for sustainable development in eradicating rural poverty. Our Agrarian Reform Act is still in force. It supports micro farmers through the Agrarian Institute. We also have a National Seeds Act to promote quality inputs. We are strengthening climate resilience in rural areas through our national plans for adapting to climate change and drought, as well as programs such as seed programs, modernizing irrigation, and technical assistance. These efforts reflect our steadfast commitment to food security, climate resilience, and including peasants fully in sustainable development. The working group can count on our support. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. The next speaker, this really is the Latin American block. We'll carry on now with Mexico.

Thank you very much, Madam Vice President. Mexico thanks the working group for presenting its report and for taking challenges and achievements of our country in recent years into consideration. We believe it's vital that the working group analyze the relationship between farming production, gender equality, and climate change. These are issues for protecting and promoting the rights of all peasants. Rural women face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. They must be tackled through awareness raising and education as well as action which will empower them and ensure their full participation in decision-making. As the report highlights, Mexico has deployed significant efforts to promote and protect the rights of rural indigenous women, for example, with implemented economic empowerment initiatives and undertaken over 2,300 inheritance files to ensure access and property rights for women to own land in the various 32 regions in our country. So, experts, in your opinion, what are the key points for fostering climate resilience in rural areas with a gender perspective? Thank you very much.

We'll now move on to Paraguay.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. The full version of the statement will be uploaded onto the intranet. Paraguay thanks the expert working group for its report, which highlights the persistent risks and vulnerabilities and also helps us better understand the complexity of this situation in rural areas, and it will help us design more effective public policies. We have public policies which facilitate access to land, technology, finance, and basic public services, we also have the Act on Public Policies for Rural Women, which makes economic empowerment of rural women a priority. We're pleased to point out that 56% of land titles delivered under agrarian reform have been for rural women, many of them heads of household and mothers. There are many challenges to overcoming barriers on access to resources and specialized technology. We reiterate our commitment to the work of the working group, and our question is, what are the priority measures for states to effectively empower rural women and ensure that they can fully participate and have access to opportunities in the rural world? Thank you very much.

I would now like to call on Mali. I believe that Mali is not in the room, so let's move on to Indonesia. Indonesia has the floor.

President, we underscore that access to land is fundamental to the livelihoods, identity, and dignity of peasants

and people working in rural areas. Indonesia has made significant strides to secure the right to land through laws and policies on agrarian and agricultural affairs,

as well as on protection and empowerment of farmers. The government is also committed to fast-tracking agrarian reform as a national

priority aimed at accelerating land distribution, alleviating poverty, and achieving food security. We acknowledge that land disputes remain a challenge.

With regard to the Merauke Food Estate Project, as mentioned in the report, we emphasize

that its development is carried out in accordance with prevailing regulations, particularly those on land use and spatial planning.

We remain dedicated to resolving land issues through sustainable land governance and inclusive dialogue with affected local communities.

It is our firm commitment to upholding the rule of law

and ensuring the rights of our people, including the customary law communities, are respected and protected without discrimination. On this note, we would welcome the perspective of the working group on how states can fully achieve the right to development without compromising the rights of peasants and rural workers.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Bangladesh.

Madam Vice President, Bangladesh thanks the working group for its insightful report. As a country where peasants and smallholders remain at the heart of our economy, society, and food security, Bangladesh attaches great importance to the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants. Our constitution guarantees fundamental rights to equality, work, and social justice, and successive policies have prioritized land reform, rural development, women empowerment, and social safety nets for peasants. The government has expanded access to credit, subsidies for agricultural inputs and crop insurance, while promoting fair markets and digital platforms that link smallholders directly with the consumers. Special attention has been given to women patients, including through programs that enhance their access to training and support diversification of livelihoods. Madam Vice President, as one of the most climate vulnerable countries, We have strengthened coastal embankments, promoted climate-resilient crops, and supported fisherfolk communities whose livelihoods are threatened by salinity and rising sea levels. These efforts reflect our conviction that peasants must remain at the center of resilience strategies. We know to concern the global challenges highlighted in the report, Bangladesh firmly believes that protecting peasants' rights to land, seeds, food sovereignty, and social protection is indispensable for achieving the 2030 agenda. In conclusion, Bangladesh reiterates its unwavering solidarity to peasant communities globally and urges all states--

Muchas gracias.

Thank you. Please, my next speaker, which is Portugal.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Portugal welcomes the working group and thanks them for the presentation of its report, as well as for the comprehensive work developed in its short existence. Portugal is committed to continue to address the specific vulnerabilities of peasants to ensure they are not discriminated against and the full enjoyment of their human rights. Allow me to highlight three elements of our national experience. Firstly, Portugal recognizes that poverty and social exclusion persist in certain rural contexts and as a result, as institute social protection mechanisms, Portugal notably supports the promotion of direct sales and local markets, particularly through the implementation of the leader program, to address power asymmetries in assessing supply chains for small-scale rural producers. Secondly, the Portuguese strategic plan for the common agricultural policy 2020-23, 2027 has been developed and implemented encompassing a range of measures designed to support small-scale farmers, including income-related support and the further promotion of productivity and innovation. Finally, Portugal is committed to the implementation of the National Family Farming Statute, which has been operationalized through a series of concrete measures, from the facilitation of access to credit, to crop insurance and compensation, from allocations for diesel consumption in state budgets to support

for the renewal of the agricultural tractor.

Thank you. Next speaker is Togo. Togo has the floor.

Thank you, Vice President. Togo thanks the working group for its report and welcomes the relevance of its analysis, particularly when it comes to Togo, a very agricultural country. Our country has always given particular attention to promoting the rights of peasants who are key actors when it comes to food security and sustainable development. Aware of challenges linked to access to land, to inputs and financing, Togo has set up planned agricultural development zones that facilitate access for smallholders, in particular youth and women, to land, water, high-quality inputs and tailored financial services. Our country adopted a land law guaranteeing equitable access to land. bolstering social justice and the sustainability of agricultural production. As part of modernization of agriculture, the National Program for Agricultural Investment and Food and Nutritional Security has helped bolster the production capacities. improve access to markets and to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Finally, Togo has also created financial support mechanisms such as the agricultural financing incentive mechanism, which promotes access for agricultural producers to credit.

Gracias.

Thank you. Armenia is next.

and Vice President, Armenia welcomes the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and takes note of its report. We recall that both the UNROP and UHRC resolution 54/9 underscore the mutually reinforcing relationship between the rights of peasants and the protection of biodiversity. Hence, rural communities play a critical role in safeguarding ecosystems, ensuring food security, and preserving traditional knowledge. systems. We reiterate the importance of addressing challenges posed to the peasants and rural communities by the climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss, which require comprehensive and integrated policy responses that place human rights at the forefront of decision-making. As the host of the 17th meeting of Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2026, Armenia is firmly committed to promoting a rights-based approach to biodiversity to ensure that the voices, knowledge, and practices of peasants and rural communities are meaningfully featured in the deliberations and outcomes of COP 17. We are also looking forward to welcoming the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants for an official country visit in Armenia I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Malaysia.

Madam Vice President, Malaysia comments the working group for its continuing efforts to advance the rights of peasants and rural

communities.

Peasants and rural workers are the beating heart of food security and national resilience, yet they remain vulnerable to challenges such as climate change, market volatility, and unequal access to resources. Under the 13 Malaysian plan and guided by the Madani vision, Malaysia is implementing initiatives to empower our own rural communities. The National Agro Food Policy 2021 to 2030 modernizes food production systems, improves farmers income and strengthens food security. Complementing this, the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 provides targeted support for SMEs and agropreneurs, including financing facilities digitalization grants, and expanded market access. Special focus is given to women, youth, and indigenous communities through tailored entrepreneurship and skills training programs. These measures focus on equipping smallholders and rural entrepreneurs with the tools and opportunities to try for the long term rather than relying on the short term systems and fixes. Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rights of peasants and rural workers and looks forward to the working

group's continued recommendations to strengthen international cooperation in this area. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Spain.

Thank you, Vice-President. Spain aligns with the EU statement. We thank the working group for the report and we support the full enjoyment of the rights of people working in rural areas. Spain works to avoid any violence or sexual coercion of rural workers. Labour inspections protect their fundamental rights. The criminal code provides for very harsh sanctions for perpetrators of sexual violence and punishes employers who violate the rights of foreign workers. Any woman in an irregular situation in Spain will obtain residency authorisation and work for exceptional circumstances the moment a warrant is issued in her favour or if the public prosecutor reports the existence of indicators of gender-based violence. In addition, to labour legislation and equal rights for Spanish citizens, work in the agricultural sector is governed by collective agreements. and also there are protocols prevention and action in the case of sexual harassment on grounds of gender discrimination. The GECCO program, 25 years old, is considered a model of best practice at national and international level thanks to its rights-based transparent approach to circular migration. We share the concern of the working group on the abuses that can be suffered by rural workers and both in Spain and at international level we call for its complete elimination. Thank you.

Thank you. We continue with the delegation of Sudan.

Thank you, Vice-President. We've taken note of the report of the working group. We welcome the recommendations contained therein. We are aware of the many challenges faced by peasants, especially smallholder farmers, and those challenges are further accentuated by conflict. That is why we have taken a string of measures to regularise access to property. The life of farmers and peasants has been affected by the conflict with the militia. the rebel militia. That militia has seized the means of agricultural production in regions where there was a conflict prior to the current period. This has had a vast harmful impact on agri- the agriculture industry and on the situation in the country as a whole. We welcome the fact you've highlighted the need to put an end to such violations and such excesses and to urge countries that give support to such rebels to put an end to that support.

Okay, I give the floor to Cuba.

Thank you, Vice-President. We are grateful to the group of experts for all their work in presenting their report, including recognition of the relevance of agrarian reform carried out by the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and 1963 that abolished Uh, whereby working for having to let land as means of production, we recognize measures adopted by various states and best practices that exist, including at constitutional level for implementation of the UN declaration. We agree with the group of experts on the need to integrate the Declaration into legal frameworks and national development frameworks and ensure that national statistics include disaggregated data on rights holders pursuant to the Declaration. Cuba is firmly committed to promoting and protecting the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, whose contribution to global food is decisive. We must continue promoting better working conditions, quality of life, labor and social protection, full enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to development. The rights of Cuban peasants and realizing the right to food in Cuba have been gravely affected by the impact of the economic, commercial, financial blockade imposed by the US government. That criminal policy impedes access to fertilizers, inputs, other elements crucial to the production of food and We reiterate Cuba's commitment to the mandate of the group and its activities. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I give the floor to Brazil.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Brazil wishes to thank the working group for this relevant initiative and reiterates its strong commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and other people working in rural areas. The full implementation of UNDROP becomes even more important in the current context of multiple challenges faced by rural populations, which impact their rights and livelihoods, including land insecurity, gender-based discrimination, and insufficient social and labor protections. For Brazil, fulfilling rural people's rights is inseparable from our broader agenda of promoting social inclusion, food security and nutrition, and sustainable development. We consider that the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty is an innovative initiative that can contribute to this agenda. We recognize the central role of rural communities and civil society in ensuring the to food, preserving biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience. We also consider that the International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development that will be hosted by Colombia in February 2026 will offer an excellent opportunity for us to discuss challenges faced by rural people.

Thank you. We'll move to the next speaker. Malawi, please.

Madam Vice-President, Malawi aligns with the statement of the African Group and thanks the Working Group for the comprehensive report. It's concerning to note that the erosion of peasant land rights remain a global phenomenon. As noted by the Working Group, insecurity of land tenures stems from systematic dispossession of weak legal protections, discriminatory practices, as well as land grabbing by corporations and large-scale agribusiness that disproportionately affect peasants and workers. Malawi continues to make strides in land governance reform through the enactment of legislation in 2016, 2022, and 2024 aimed at improving land tenure and mechanisms for the protection of land rights. Furthermore, Malawi continues to implement measures aimed at promoting and protecting rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas. and the informal economy while creating a supportive environment for their working conditions. We recognize, however, that more needs to be done, and therefore we fully support inclusive international forums such as the Second International Conference on Land Reform and Rural Development and the UN Communities of Practice to promote best practices and strengthen implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. I thank you.

Muchisimas gracias.

Thank you. India.

Madam Vice President, we thank the Working Group for its report and acknowledge both the achievements and challenges it has identified with respect to India. Allow me to briefly address some of the concerns raised. India's land reforms are guided by the objectives of reducing inequality, enhancing agricultural productivity, and promoting social justice. Measures such as the abolition of intermediaries, Tenancy reforms and land ceilings have been complemented by modern initiatives, including the unique land parcel identification number, transliteration of land records and Digital India Land Records Modernization Program, which together aim to digitalize land administration and move towards conclusive titling. Alongside strong legal and policy frameworks to compact cost and gender based disparities, the government is prioritizing farmer welfare by addressing issues such as suicides and indebtedness through investments in agriculture, improved infrastructure, credit delivery, technology and direct cash transfers, as well as defending their interest in international forum. These efforts are particularly significant given the scale and magnitude of India's farmers and rural population within a country of 1.4 billion people. As rightly acknowledged by the working group, India has a strong legal and institutional framework that supports these efforts. In parallel, as also noted by the working group, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes continues to strengthen rural livelihoods by generating employment, improving infrastructure, empowering women, and supporting

Thank you. Next speaker, China, please.

Madam Vice President, China takes farmers' happiness as an important mission and the resolution of issues of agriculture, rural development, and farmers as high priority. We have won the biggest battle against poverty in human history by lifting 100 million rural residents out of poverty. We are promoting rural advancement on all fronts, giving priority to agriculture and rural development, pursuing integrated development of urban and rural areas, and facilitating the flow of factors between them. We will increase efforts to build a country with strong agriculture and endeavor to facilitate the development of rural industries, talents, culture, ecology, and organizations. In April this year, we launched the plan to accelerate building of a strong country in agriculture so as to achieve this goal in a phased and scientific manner to accelerate modernization of agriculture in rural areas and to better advance the Chinese style modernization. China will take safeguarding the fundamental interests of farmers as a starting point and the point of implementation, take the increase of farmers' income as a central task and use the real benefits for farmers as a criterion for assessment so that farmers can obtain more sense of gain, happiness and security in the process of reform and development and share the benefits of this process. Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you.

That was the last speaker that we could accommodate in this session. Colleagues, with that, we've come to the end of our meeting. We'll reconvene tomorrow morning to continue the interactive dialogue with the working group. and hold interactive dialogue on the report, the centenary general synthesis report on climate change, and interactive dialogue on the panel discussion on the reinforcement of work to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities. I hereby close the 15th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. Thank you. Good evening.