A/HRC/26/46 report on discrimination in the European Union, he highlighted that 45 per cent of survey participants believed that being 55 years and older would result in discrimination. Research in the United Kingdom demonstrated discrimination against older persons in policies and practices, including in the health sector. Mr. Plano viewed discrimination as the fundamental obstacle to improving the lives of the aged. He voiced support for a legally binding international instrument on the rights of older persons. 18. In the interactive dialogue, representatives of CORV, China, the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, INPEA and AIDE-Fédération took the floor. Speakers discussed the potential of new technologies and communication tools to combat age discrimination. The role of the State and the importance of employment, anti-discrimination legislation and data collection were also discussed. 19. In her concluding remarks, Ms. Sleap stated that low literacy levels could make it difficult for elderly persons to access information and that poverty was often a root cause of problems for older persons. Mr. Obot highlighted the importance of civil society and faithbased organizations in addressing age discrimination and the role of education in enabling older persons’ political involvement, employment and entrepreneurism. Mr. Plano agreed that education was critical for addressing age discrimination and that digital accessibility was also essential. C. Older persons and the right to health 20. John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course with the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that people were living longer than ever before and straining health-care systems. He encouraged relevant stakeholders to make the human rights case to encourage governments to improve public health. States must move past knee-jerk reactions and make considered policy choices that accounted for individual circumstances. Mr. Beard called for a rights-based approach to ageing based on capabilities and the elimination of enforced retirement. It should focus on good health, which entailed physical, cognitive and emotional well-being, financial security, education, social relations and social attitudes. Mr. Beard suggested a coordinated response to ageing to maximize resources and described efforts by WHO to promote that approach. 21. Astrid Stuckelberger, a lecturer at the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, observed that the global population was growing, particularly in developing countries. She decried the inadequate attention and resources dedicated to the issue of ageing by the United Nations and Member States, calling for a change in societal attitudes towards ageing and the refutation of common misconceptions about older persons. She advocated the use of science to help older persons and urged OHCHR to lead on older persons’ issues, including at upcoming United Nations conferences. 22. Sooyoun Han, a founding member of Care Rights, described difficulties in caring for older persons and in their end-of-life care and decision-making in the Republic of Korea, including challenges faced by returning migrants. The Korean Government was taking action, including through financial assistance for end-of-life care. However, there was no specific health legislation in place and returning migrants were not eligible for that benefit. Ms. Han called for the adoption of a new international instrument to spur government action to protect and provide for older migrants and their family caregivers’ rights to information on end-of-life care and decision-making. 23. Abdulaziz Zguiouar, a representative of AIDE-Fédération, described changing demographics in Morocco over the past 50 years. Despite a population ageing trend, older persons’ issues had been generally overlooked in social policies and Morocco had only recently begun to take specific measures. Those included the extension of health coverage 7

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