Statement by the Permanent Mission of Singapore at the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Enjoyment of All Human Rights of Older Persons at the 33rd Human Rights Council on 14 September 2016

Mr President,

We thank the Independent Expert Ms Rosa Kornfeld-Matte for her presentation and comprehensive report. 

We agree with the Independent Expert that older persons should not be seen as mere passive beneficiaries; but as individuals empowered to learn, to stay active and contribute to their communities.

We commend her tireless efforts to raise public awareness of this important issue.

By 2030, we expect that one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above, up from one in nine today.

We want all Singaporeans to age well, with dignity and lead fulfilling lives.

We have therefore adopted a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.

To this end and following broad public consultations, Singapore launched the Action Plan for Successful Ageing in August 2015 and committed US$2.2billion to its implementation. 

The Action Plan has three main areas of focus:

First, creating opportunities for all ages.  We have implemented concrete policies to ensure lifelong employability, lifelong learning, and retirement adequacy of our seniors; while promoting healthy ageing.

To encourage lifelong learning, a National Silver Academy will be set up to provide a range of learning opportunities for seniors.

A national senior’s health programme will reach over 400,000 older adults  to help them age more healthily;

Second, creating a home for all ages.

This will focus on fostering a cohesive society  by building “communities of care” to complement family support and to help seniors age-in-place; and promoting inter-generational harmony and encouraging respect for seniors.      

To this end, eldercare and childcare facilities in new public housing developments will be co-located to maximise inter-generational interactions.

Third, building a City for all Ages, where our city’s infrastructure is made more senior-friendly. For instance, we have installed senior-friendly signs for navigating transport hubs.

Mr President,

We don’t claim to have all the answers and are constantly looking for ways to improve. We are learning from other countries’ best practices and programmes.  

We look forward to the Independent Expert’s upcoming visit to Singapore.

It will be an opportunity to exchange views on how we can fine-tune our policies and programmes, and better promote and protect the rights and dignity of older Singaporeans.

Thank you Mr President.

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