李笑梅在联大老龄问题工作组第三次会议一般性辩论中的发言（中英对照）

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 Statement by Chinese Delegate Ms. Li Xiaomei in the General Debate at the 3rd Session of the Working Group on Ageing

主席先生，

Mr. Chairman,

　　首先，请允许我代表中国代表团，祝贺你当选工作组主席。相信在你的领导下，本次工作组会议将取得积极成果。

First of all, please allow me to congratulate you on your election as chairman of this working group. I am confident that under your leadership, this session of the working group will end its work with success.

　　当前，国际老龄形势严峻，如何积极、有效地应对人口老龄化是国际社会共同面对的重大课题。自去年成立以来，联大老龄问题工作组就如何应对老龄化、保障老年人权益进行了一系列有益讨论。中国代表团对此表示赞赏，并愿就工作组未来工作发表如下看法：

Today, ageing is a serious challenge for the international community. How to deal with ageing in a positive and effective way is a subject of major importance that the international community faces. Since its establishment last year, the GA Working Group on Ageing has held useful discussions on how to deal with ageing and guarantee the rights and interests of the older persons. The Chinese delegation appreciates these efforts, and wishes to express its views and expectations on the future work of the Working Group.

　　一、应充分保障老年人的权利，促进老年人福祉。老年人曾为人类经济社会发展作出重要贡献，在步入老年后应充分享受社会发展成果。各国应妥善解决老年人面临的贫困、疾病等困难，消除对老年人的歧视和虐待。工作组应就此展开充分的讨论。

Firstly, the rights and welfare of the older persons should be guaranteed. Having made important contributions to the economic and social development, the older generation should enjoy fully the fruits of social development after they become old. All countries should address appropriately the problems of the older persons such as poverty and disease, and eliminate discrimination against and abuse of the older persons.

　　二、老龄问题不仅仅是人权问题，也是发展问题。发展是解决老龄问题的基础，只有经济社会取得平稳较快发展，才能为改善老年人福利提供物质保障。应对老龄问题应充分考虑各国国情，不应搞“一刀切”。国际社会应充分照顾发展中国家的需求和关切，国际社会应为发展中国家提供必要的资金和技术支持。

Secondly, the issue of ageing should be viewed not only from the perspective of human rights, but also from the perspective of development. Development is the basis for addressing the issue of ageing. Only when there is stable and fairly rapid economic and social development can there be material guarantees for improvement of the welfare of the older persons. The international community must take into full account the specific conditions of various countries when dealing with ageing, and should avoid imposing a “one-size-fits-all” approach. The needs and concerns of the developing countries should be taken into full consideration, and the international community should provide necessary financial and technical support to the developing countries.

　　三、应充分考虑现有老龄问题国际框架的作用。《马德里老龄问题国际行动计划》为各国应对人口老龄化提供了指导思想和行动纲领。各国应重视第二次审查和评估工作，并在此基础上进一步深化落实行动计划。

Thirdly, the utility of existing international framework on the issue of ageing should be fully considered. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing has provided the guidelines and a program of action for all countries in dealing with the issue of ageing. The international community should attach importance to the second round of review and assessment of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, and continue to improve the implementation based on the results of the assessments.

　　主席先生，

Mr. Chairman,

　　作为发展中人口大国，中国也正在经历人口结构的快速转变，老年人口数量和增长速度均居世界前列。中国政府高度重视本国老龄化进程和老年人口的特殊需求，采取一系列积极措施应对老龄化，保障老年人各项合法权益。近一年来，中国先后颁布《中国老龄事业发展“十二五”规划》和《社会保障“十二五”规划纲要》，并着手对《老年人权益保障法》进行修订。有关举措将老龄事业发展纳入了国家经济和社会发展总体规划，推出了应对人口老龄化的社会保障政策，并进一步完善了老年人权益保护的法律法规体系。

As a developing country with a huge population, China too is undergoing a rapid transformation in its demographic structure and ranks among the first in the world in terms of the total population of the older persons and its rate of increase. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the process of ageing in China and the special needs of the older persons, and has taken series of measures to deal with ageing so as to guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of the older persons. Over the last year, China has adopted the 12th 5-year Plan on the Welfare of the Older Persons, and the 12th 5-Year Guidelines on Social Security. Besides, China is revising the Law on Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Older Persons. These measures incorporated the welfare of the older persons into the overall plan of national economic and social development, set in motion the implementation of various social security policies to deal with ageing, and will further improve existing legal and regulatory systems on the safeguards of the rights and interests of the older persons.

　　中国代表团期待本次会议的讨论能够为促进国际老龄事业的发展作出积极贡献。

The Chinese Delegation looks forward to a fruitful discussion in this session, with a view to effectively addressing the international ageing issue.

谢谢主席先生。

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.