Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

Albert Einstein said (and I quote), "All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual."

Committees gather, protocols are signed, reports circulate – yet as we are sitting here today, a human being in one part of the world has access to 250 times the health, personal safety, and opportunities as compared with a human being in another part of the world.  

From curing cancer to ending world hunger - The challenges facing humanity in the coming decades can only be overcome if we find a way to maximize the world's most precious resource – our human resources.

Men and women, young and old – everyone has an important role to play. The world must aspire to be a place where people come together and nobody gets left behind. Our future and the future of subsequent generations depend on ensuring that every person can contribute to his or her society.

Today, I would like to focus on three topics in particular – persons with disabilities, older persons and youth. 

Mr. Chairperson,

Whenever someone finds himself in a room with ten or more people, he should know that statistically speaking, at least one person in the room probably has a disability. More than 650 million people around the world live with some form of disability.

The rapid ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities demonstrates the international community’s commitment and willingness to address this pressing issue.

The State of Israel is also committed to upholding and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. We do so through legislation, legal protection, education and active partnerships between government and civil society.

Israel is proud to have served on the Bureau of the Conference of State Parties of CRPD for the past two years. This is a prime example of how a human rights-based approach and a development perspective should go together hand in hand.  Israel's Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities offers yet another important example of our standing together behind the principle of participation: "Nothing about us without us."   

Addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities requires collaboration between governmental, civic, and individual efforts. Israel is proud of institutions such as Beit Issi Shapiro, Alin Beit Noam, ALUT, as well as many others that stand at the forefront of creating enabling environments and integrated communities.

Mr. Chairperson,

Pope Paul VI said: "In youth the days are short and the years are long. In old age the years are short and day's long"

Growing old can be a time filled with joy and dignity or a time filled with fears and indignity. Nature poses physical and mental obstacles to older persons, but it is the man-made obstacles that are the most difficult to overcome.

In nations around the world the wisest, most experienced members of humanity are often socially excluded. Older persons are disproportionately at risk of inadequate and insecure income, insufficient access to quality health care and other services.    

This should concern all of us. For the first time in history; humankind is reaching the point at which there will soon be fewer children than older persons in the world. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of older persons will double what it is today, reaching 20% of the global population.

Israel sees its ageing population as an asset – a fountain of wisdom. We appreciate their contribution to our past and recognize their important role in our future. In fact, the Israeli government has formed a ministry dedicated to harness the capabilities of senior citizens. 

Israel would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, appointed by the Human Rights Council as the first Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons – and look forward to working with her in the future.

Mr. Chairperson,

The foundation of every society is its youth. Today's youth face unique challenges as they have lost the protections afforded to children, but are not yet regarded as adults in most societies.

Youth confront barriers to their personal and social fulfillment that lead to long-term inequalities. In many societies, youth are alarmingly disadvantaged in terms of income, unemployment and poverty. In short, they often face uncertain future.

Israel is proud to be a leader in developing programs aimed at integrating youth into society.  Over the past 20 years, Israel has initiated a comprehensive approach focused on responding to the needs of at-risk youth through major advances in legislation and increased public awareness.

Mr. Chairperson,

Molière, the French playwright, once said "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. "

If we can work together to overcome all of these obstacles, then together, we can share in the glory of overcoming them.  From the skyscrapers of Sydney Australia to the great meadows of South Africa, people of all religions and cultures must join hands and come together so that we may create a better future for all our children.

Thank you.