16 Oct 2015
Mr Chairman,
My delegation congratulates you on your Chairmanship of the Third Committee and assures you of our fullest support. We also thank the members of the Bureau for their work. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Philippines on behalf of ASEAN and the statement delivered by South Africa on behalf of the G77+China.
2. Singapore remains fully committed to implementing the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. With a rapidly ageing population, Singapore will join the league of ‘super-aged’ nations by 2030, with more than 20% of Singaporeans over the age of 65. While this demographic change will pose significant challenges, Singapore believes that it can present opportunities as well.
3. This year, Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence. As we pay tribute to the contributions of our pioneer generation, we are also looking at how to better support the needs and aspirations of our seniors. To this end, the Ministerial Committee on Ageing recently announced a S$3 billion Action Plan for Successful Ageing, comprising over 60 initiatives, to develop Singapore into a “Nation for All Ages” within the next twenty years.
Active Ageing
4. The Action Plan has three key objectives – first, to create “Opportunities for All Ages”. This includes various learning, work, health and community-building activities that contribute towards older Singaporeans’ sense of purpose and the wider goal of eliminating discrimination in the workplace. Initiatives like the National Silver Academy and SkillsFuture Credit encourage seniors to continue developing their skills, while the Special Employment Credit Scheme (or SEC), credits employers who hire or re-employ older workers with a percentage of the employee’s monthly wages. These credits were recently increased from 8 to 11.5% in 2015. Singapore will also launch a National Seniors’ Health Programme to encourage seniors to age more healthily. To kick-start a national movement of senior volunteerism, the Singapore government has set aside S$40 million for the Silver Volunteerism Fund, to support community organisations in recruiting, developing and deploying senior volunteers. These education, work and community initiatives will help older Singaporeans stay engaged and active later in life.
Strengthening Family and Community Support
Mr Chairman,
5. Inter-generational cohesion and social integration of seniors is the second objective in Singapore’s Action Plan for Successful Ageing. We hope to create a “Kampong (Malay for “Village”) for All Ages”, where there are communities that support and allow our seniors to “age in place”, and where younger Singaporeans respect and care for their elders. To strengthen family ties and support, Singapore has implemented public housing policies that give priority to young married couples seeking to live with or near their parents, and tax incentives for Singaporeans looking after their aged parents. In the years to come, Singapore’s childcare and elderly facilities will be built in close proximity within new residential developments, to promote inter-generational bonding.
6. We also work closely with a wide network of community partners to provide support services, especially to the vulnerable. Senior Activity Centres (or SACs) extend socio-recreation activities, home visits and other services to vulnerable elderly in the community. We will also be building Active Ageing Hubs in new residential developments to provide active ageing, care and assisted living services to older Singaporeans.
Senior-Friendly Built Environment
7. The third objective under the Action Plan is to create a “City for All Ages” where seniors can age confidently in place. To this end, we have planned for hardware improvements in our housing estates, parks and transport networks to make Singapore a senior-friendly city.
Ensuring Sufficient Provisions and Protection for Those in Need
Mr Chairman,
8. It is important to ensure that seniors have sufficient provisions in their old age. While Singapore believes that the individual should be responsible, we recognise that there will be a group that would require more help. The Silver Support Scheme, which will be implemented by early 2016, will provide additional assistance to the bottom 20 to 30% of elderly Singaporeans in their retirement years. Low-income Singaporeans aged 65 years and over, with limited household support and means, will receive a quarterly cash supplement. An estimated 150,000 elderly are expected to receive Silver Support.
9. To better protect vulnerable adults, Singapore will also enact two legislative amendments. The new “Vulnerable Adults Act” will protect vulnerable adults, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, from risk of harm due to abuse, neglect or self-neglect. Separately, an enhanced “Mental Capacity Act” will better protect mentally incapacitated persons by simplifying the process and reducing the cost of appointing family members as deputies. These amendments complement existing legislation, such as the Maintenance of Parents Act, in protecting the interests of elderly Singaporeans.
Conclusion
Mr Chairman,
10. Governments should harness the potential that longevity brings, rather than see it as a challenge. Singapore’s experience has convinced us that if we plan ahead, update our policies and put in place the necessary hardware and software, we can ensure that our society remains dynamic.
11. To conclude, Singapore affirms our commitment to improving the well-being of our seniors. Working hand-in-hand with our partners and the community, we will strive to make Singapore inclusive for all.
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