A/HRC/39/32 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 35/13, the Human Rights Council decided to convene, with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a one-day intersessional seminar on the impact of the implementation by States of their obligations under relevant provisions of international human rights law with regard to the protection of the family, on the role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of the human rights of older persons, and to discuss challenges and best practices in that regard, with the participation of Member States and other relevant stakeholders, including national human rights institutions, academic experts and civil society organizations. 2. The intersessional seminar took place in Geneva on 11 June 2018 and was attended by representatives of Member States, national human rights institutions, United Nations entities, civil society and academia. The present report contains a summary of the proceedings, and the conclusions and recommendations emerging from the seminar. The agenda for the seminar and the list of participants are available on the OHCHR website. 1 The seminar was webcast on UN Web TV.2 II. Opening of the intersessional seminar 3. Speaking on behalf of a cross-regional core group of main sponsors of Human Rights Council resolution 35/13, the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Alaa Youssef, said that the family was an undisputable social, cultural, moral and religious value. In accordance with international human rights law, States had to provide the widest possible support and protection to families, so as to allow them to fully assume their role in the community and to provide a conducive environment for the growth and well-being of their members. In addition, families played a key role in fostering social development, cohesion and integration, and in the effective empowerment of women. Families had a primary responsibility for the nurturing, guidance and protection of children, for the full and harmonious development of their personality. Older persons could make important contributions to economic and social development, with their experience, skills and knowledge. Older persons, particularly older women, also played a vital role within families as caregivers for spouses, grandchildren and other relatives, which often remained unrecognized and undervalued. In addition, older persons contributed to strengthening social capital by actively participating in community and civic life. 4. The Chief of the Human Rights and Economic and Social Issues Section of OHCHR, Lene Wendland, delivered the opening statement on behalf of the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, in which she recalled that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized the family as the natural and fundamental group unit of society. Society and the State should protect the family, as a strong force for social cohesion and integration, intergenerational solidarity and social development. With rapidly ageing populations in countries all around the world, families provided most of the care of older persons, especially women. Changing living arrangements and lifestyles were making 1 2 See www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/IntersessionalSeminarProtectionFamilyHROlder Persons.aspx. Opening and session 1: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/treaty-bodies/watch/opening-session-1intersessional-seminar-on-family-older-persons-human-rights-council/5796144743001/? term=&lan=original; session 2: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/treaty-bodies/watch/session-2-intersessional-seminaron-family-older-persons-human-rights-council/5796150471001/?term=&lan=original; session 3: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/treaty-bodies/watch/session-3-intersessional-seminaron-family-and-older-persons-human-rights-council/5796499906001/?term=&lan=original; session 4: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/treaty-bodies/watch/session-4-closing-intersessionalseminar-on-family-and-older-persons-human-rights-council/5796504080001/?term=&lan=original. 3