A/HRC/24/25 22. Ms. Roque emphasized the importance and irreversible nature of the demographic phenomenon of ageing, and made reference to the available data and projections on the growth of the aged population. There were many risks associated with old age: poverty, marginalization, invisibility, discrimination and ill-health. Today, 80 per cent of the world population did not have any social security or health coverage and, if no national or international policies were adopted, by 2050, some 1,200 million older persons would face income insecurity. While access to quality jobs for older persons was often an issue, in Asia, Africa and Latin America, the survival of older persons was due to employment, mostly in the informal sector or in unqualified jobs. European surveys showed that 24 per cent of older persons were victims of violence and abuse. Between 2000 and 2050, the number of older persons with a moderate and entire dependence would double. Older persons were particularly vulnerable during armed conflicts and natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods. Discrimination against older persons was aggravated by other factors, such as gender or indigenous origin. Discrimination in the provision of services included failure to obtain the consent of older persons when receiving health care or when placed in residential care. 23. Ms. Roque pointed out that societies and institutions had not yet adapted to the new demographic challenges posed by ageing, and still operated under an outdated paradigm. She described two different challenges for States: to change their classical perception of ageing, and to assume their responsibility towards older persons. States should regard ageing as an opportunity rather than as a problem, and they should adopt policies directed at enabling people to enjoy their human rights fully, even as they aged, and at guaranteeing human rights in an ageing world. This required the development of new legislation and national policies in agreement with a human rights paradigm recognizing equality and nondiscrimination on the basis of age. The guidance of an international human rights instrument devoted to the rights of older persons would be useful as a model. 24. During the discussion, Franciscans International raised the issue of the rights of older persons in prisons. Representatives of Argentina and of the Republic of Korea underlined the importance of ageing, and welcomed the action taken by the Human Rights Council in this regard. The Republic of Korea referred to certain initiatives undertaken in the promotion and protection of older persons’ rights. The representative of Swaziland asked about the resolution of the potential conflicts between States’ cultural traditions and the assertion of the State’s obligation to protect older persons, for example, where the family, and not the State, was seen as the main institution responsible for the care of older persons. In response, Ms. Bras Gomes underscored the universality of human rights and the fact that they were an obligation for States, regardless of culture or custom. The European Union was fully committed to the human rights of older persons and acknowledged the challenges older persons faced, such as abuse and violence, discrimination, exclusion and lack of opportunities, specific health-related difficulties and other challenges associated with old age. According to the European Union, existing human rights standards and principles provided a framework for the enjoyment of these rights also by older persons. The focus should be on the implementation of existing standards. The European Union also encouraged the universal periodic review, the treaty bodies and special procedures mandate holders to devote attention to the rights of older persons within their mandates. C. Old age discrimination and ageism 25. The panel discussion on old age discrimination and ageism was moderated by the Chief of the Millennium Development Goals Section of OHCHR, and included interventions by Susan Ryan, the Age Discrimination Commissioner of Australia; Claudia Mahler, a senior researcher at the German Institute for Human Rights; and Israel Doron, Professor of the Department of Gerontology at the University of Haifa, Israel. 7