Kuwait: A legally binding international instrument is essential to address gaps in the protection of older persons and safeguard their dignity
- Called for a comprehensive negotiating process that respects national particularities and enhances participation and empowerment
Kuwait emphasized the importance of reaching a legally binding international instrument on the rights of older persons, as it constitutes a framework that strengthens international protection for this group and helps address existing gaps in the human rights system, thereby safeguarding their dignity and enhancing their independence and active participation in society.
This was stated in a statement delivered by Hanan Al-Sultan, Third Secretary in the Department of Human Rights Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, at the first meeting of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Preparation of a Legally Binding International Instrument on the Rights of Older Persons.
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Al-Sultan stressed in her statement that Kuwait attaches great importance to older persons, regarding them as partners in development and a fundamental pillar in building society. She pointed to the continued development of national legislation and policies, the enhancement of health and social services, and the consolidation of the concept of active aging.
She clarified that Kuwait supports the preparation of the international instrument through a comprehensive and consensus-based negotiating process that respects the differences in legal systems and the national particularities of states. This process is based on empowering older persons, involving them in decision-making and policy formulation related to them, and protecting them from all forms of discrimination, violence, and neglect.
She added that the comprehensive negotiating process also seeks to enhance older persons’ access to modern technologies and digital services, integrate their needs into disaster risk reduction and emergency response policies, and strengthen international cooperation, capacity-building, and data and statistics systems, all of which contribute to improving the quality of services provided to older persons.
Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to active and constructive participation in the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group and its support for reaching a balanced, practical, and implementable international instrument that enhances the rights of older persons and contributes to building more just, inclusive, and sustainable societies.
