International Longevity Centre Global Alliance - Designing the Future of Ageing

04/04/2025

On April 3, 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a landmark resolution, establishing a new intergovernmental working group to draft an international legally binding instrument (UN convention) on the human rights of older persons

(https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/58/L.24/Rev.1).

This resolution that received very wide support from over 70 Member States of the UN, highlights a global commitment to promote and protect the human rights of older persons.

After the UN General Assembly concluded the work of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, which throughout 14 years of work highlighted substantial gaps in the protection of older persons’ rights, the Human Rights Council has now the mandate to draft a legally binding instrument. The resolution adopted at the HRC58, was driven by a core group of States: Argentina, Brazil, The Gambia, the Philippines, and Slovenia.

Significant Contribution of NGOs:  The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older Persons and the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva ably organised and coordinated the advocacy at the 58^th session of the HRC.  The International Longevity Centre Global Alliance and the International Longevity Centre Canada were among the many International  NGOs active at the HRC  in Geneva both in person and online. NGOs have been instrumental in advocating for a Convention and the drafting of this resolution. Our relentless efforts, including delivering multiple statements, hosting a side event and participating in the informal negotiations on the text of the resolution, have been key in mobilizing support, raising awareness, and influencing discussions at the UN.

A new UN convention will have a positive impact on the lives of older persons around the world today, and all of us as we age in the future. It will provide greater clarity and essential guidance to States on how to better promote and protect older persons’ rights. It will help eliminate ageism and age discrimination and ensure that older persons can seek redress for violations of their rights. This important political decision brings us closer to making this a reality.

The next steps at the UN level will be to determine how the new intergovernmental working group will be resourced and organised. Stay tuned!