The year 2002 witnessed the social development activities in the UN continue to revolve around the follow-up of the World Summit for Social development and the final document of the UN Special Session on Social development. Chinawas engaged in those relevant activities.

From 11-22 February, the 40thsession of the UN Committee on Social Development met in New York. It focused on the priority theme "Integration of social and economic policy", preparatory work for the Second World Assembly on Ageing, report by the Special rapporteur for matters relating to the persons with disabilities and preparation for the observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. As the preparatory organization of the Second World Assembly on Ageing 2002, the Committee also convened the second prepcom meeting devoted to the deliberation of the final document of the proposed Assembly. Chinawas represented. It emphasized that development promotion is conducive to the uprooting of many unstable factors worldwide apart from improving the livelihood of the people. Poverty eradication, increased employment are the outstanding issues facing developing countries, therefore, developed countries need to fulfill their commitment by discharging their due obligations with a view to eradicating the poverty world wide.

From 8-12 April, the Second World Assembly on Ageing was held in Madrid, Spain . 1500 participants from 158 countries, UN bodies and agencies, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs attended the Assembly which made an overall review of the results achieved by the First Assembly held in 1985, analyzed and discussed the ageing issue in the new situation, came up with the idea of working " towards a society for all ages". The Assembly passed a final document, Political Declaration and Madrid Plan of Action 2002. State Councilor and Executive Vice Chairperson of China 's National Working Committee on Ageing Ismail Amat headed the Chinese delegation. He noted in the Assembly that various governments should incorporate ageing into their economic and social plans in the context of their domestic situation so as to enable the older persons to enjoy the results of mankind's progress alongside the other members of the society. Developing countries should make poverty eradication and better medical care and social security as priority, upgrade and improve the living standard and health condition of the older persons while developed countries should, proceeding from the progressive interest of mankind, help solve the ageing problem in terms of financial resources and technology. Ismail also gave a presentation of the measures taken and achievements scored by China in the ageing field.