Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department took to support the seventh session of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing which took place in New York from 12 to 15 December 2016.

The UK has supported and participated in the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing since it was established in 2010. At the seventh session, the UK was represented by delegates based both in London and at the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, and delivered a statement which set out UK policy. In advance of the meeting, officials worked closely with likeminded partners and representatives from civil society, and ensured that the UK position was reflected in EU statements. We will continue to engage constructively with the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and support the work of the Independent Expert to ensure greater enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.