A/HRC/36/48 assistive device at any time. Withdrawal of the system must not take place without the explicit consent of the user. 97. Older persons should be actively involved in the design and development of assistive technology and robotics. They must also participate in all aspects of decisionmaking about the introduction of assistive technology through public policies, including design, provision and monitoring. States need to take all necessary measures to ensure the active participation of older persons in research, development and policymaking, including by addressing structural barriers to their involvement. Robotics research activities should be conducted in accordance with the precautionary principle, anticipating the potential impact, while encouraging progress for the benefit of older persons and society at large. 98. It is essential that States raise awareness about the availability of assistive devices, by disseminating information to all relevant target groups. There is, moreover, a need to build the capacity of older persons and formal and informal caregivers to engage with assistive technology and robotics through targeted training. Information and training should be aimed at developing the digital skills necessary to use the technology and also to develop technological literacy to enable older persons and carers to understand and evaluate the benefits and risks of technology. 99. The Independent Expert stresses the need to explore further the substantive elements of a right to assisted living in old age, focusing on the intersection of ageing and disability and/or on how the right to care and support can be protected on the basis of a life-cycle approach. In this regard, the Independent Expert notes that the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights affirmed that assistive technology was essential in enabling persons with disabilities to live independently and to participate fully in all aspects of life. She stresses the importance for all human rights mechanisms to consistently address, in their deliberations and conclusions, the situation of older persons and the obligation of States to provide them with adequate support, including through assistive technology and robotics. Further guidance on how to ensure equality in old age is also needed in order to deal with age limits and other age-based barriers that impede older people’s equal access to support. 100. There is a need to further explore appropriate mechanisms of accountability and monitoring of assistive technology and in particular of robots, including by engaging in discussions about the establishment of a dedicated watchdog on artificial intelligence, and ensure that such mechanisms adequately address the situation of older persons and are grounded on human rights standards. 101. The Independent Expert welcomes the work of the World Health Organization on assistive devices and technology and encourages all United Nations specialized agencies, programmes and funds to ensure a human rights-based approach to the development and implementation of assistive technology. 102. The Independent Expert notes that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its call to leave no one behind present a unique opportunity to ensure that the introduction of advanced assisted devices and robotics in older persons’ care does not deepen inequalities between developed and developing countries. Building on Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals, she calls on States to enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation and access to science, technology, innovation and knowledge-sharing. 18