A/HRC/36/48 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 33/5. She examines, to the extent possible, the opportunities and challenges of assistive and robotics technology, artificial intelligence and automation for the full enjoyment by older persons of their human rights. The Independent Expert considers that this is a frontier issue, which urgently requires further consideration, and stresses the need for a human rights-based approach to underpin discussions on this subject. II. Activities of the Independent Expert 2. During the reporting period, the Independent Expert visited Singapore, from 21 to 29 September 2016 (see A/HRC/36/48/Add.1), and Namibia, from 2 to 13 March 2017 (see A/HRC/36/48/Add.2). She expresses her appreciation to the Governments of those countries for their cooperation before, during and after her visits. 3. In September 2016, the Independent Expert presented her comprehensive report to the Human Rights Council, at its thirty-third session, in an interactive dialogue. On this occasion, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Disease International, she launched an exhibition on older persons of photographs by Cathy Greenblat entitled Love, Loss and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer’s Differently. The exhibition also featured pieces from Argentinian artist Zulma Recchini, which are part of the cycle Biografías — Grandes Mujeres. The Independent Expert wishes to express her deep appreciation to the Government of Argentina for its remarkable dedication to the cause of older persons and for its contribution, which was instrumental in making that exhibition happen. 4. On the margins of the session of the Human Rights Council, the Independent Expert also participated in a side event, “On human rights of older persons: imperatives & desiderata”, jointly organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Group of Friends of the Human Rights of Older Persons, 1 notably the Permanent Missions of Austria and Slovenia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Argentina, and sponsored by the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) and the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance. The side event sought to explore how existing gaps at the global level could best be addressed and how States could step up their efforts in determining the best way forward further to the presentation of the Independent Expert’s comprehensive report. 5. The Independent Expert also participated in a side event organized by the Geneva NGO Committee on Ageing entitled “Respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of older refugees” on 19 September 2016. She called on States, United Nations agencies and civil society to pay specific attention to the needs of older refugees and otherwise displaced persons and, in particular, to older women. 6. Whenever possible, the Independent Expert participated in the meetings of the Group of Friends of the Human Rights of Older Persons. She wishes to express her sincere gratitude to the group, which was and is instrumental in ensuring that the Human Rights Council remains seized of this important matter and continues to contribute to the progressive development of the international human rights law of older persons. In this connection, the Independent Expert wishes to commend the Government of Austria — and, in particular, the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection — for its leadership and the decision to organize an international conference on older persons in October 2018. 1 The Geneva Group of Friends of the Human Rights of Older Persons was launched by Argentina and Slovenia on 8 June 2016. 3