Pakistan, speaking for G-77/China, calls for tapping into older persons' talents to boost global development goals.

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the 'Group of 77' developing countries and China, has stressed the need for recognizing the contribution that older persons make to the functioning of societies and towards the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda, which is aimed at ending poverty and protecting the planet.

"It is therefore essential to ensure the full and effective enjoyment of their (older persons') human rights," Ambassador Aamir Khan, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the Working Group on Ageing, at UN Headquarters in New York.

Pakistan is the current chairman of G-77 and China, which now has 134 members and is the United Nations' biggest intergovernmental group of emerging countries.

The G77 chairman stressed the need for participating in the global efforts towards an age-inclusive implementation of the agenda, and urged member states to take measures in line with the 2002 Madrid Plan of Action to promote social, economic and emotional security for the older person.

"The Group stresses that enhanced international cooperation is essential to support developing countries in implementing the Madrid Plan of Action," Ambassador Aamir Khan said.

The member states, he said, must ensure the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for older persons, including by progressively taking measures to combat age discrimination, neglect, abuse, and violence, and to provide social protection, access to food and housing, healthcare services, employment, legal capacity, and access to justice.

He also called for ensuring the development of robust health systems and universal health coverage by encompassing timely, affordable and equitable access to all essential health technologies, diagnostics, therapeutics, medicines, safe, quality and effective vaccines.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the G77 chairman noted has had a disproportionate impact on older persons, in particular older women, and that the responses to it must respect their dignity, protect their human rights and address all forms of violence, discrimination, stigmatization, exclusion, inequalities, as well as neglect, social isolation and loneliness.

Delivering Pakistan's national statement, Pakistani delegate Muhammad Rashid also highlighted the problems the older persons faced during the pandemic and said that Islamabad places special emphasis on policy interventions targeted towards raising awareness of their needs and vulnerabilities.

"Despite the...