A victory for older people everywhere: UN takes significant step toward a global rights convention

Published

3 April 2025

In a landmark moment for the global movement to protect the rights of older people, the UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution to establish an intergovernmental working group tasked with drafting a new, legally binding international convention.

This breakthrough follows years of sustained advocacy by older people, members of the HelpAge global network, civil society organisations, and human rights defenders who have long argued for a dedicated instrument to address the discrimination, neglect, and systemic ageism faced by older persons worldwide.

Why this matters

Older people represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the global population — yet their rights remain overlooked and under-protected in international law. A new convention would change that.

A new convention would:

Establish clear legal obligations for governments to uphold the rights of older people.
Combat ageism and prevent discrimination in all aspects of life.

Ensure older individuals can seek justice when their rights are violated.

Moving forward, it is essential that civil society - especially older persons and their representative organisations — are fully and effectively engaged. Transparency and inclusivity must be at the heart of this process.

Andrew Kavala, CEO of the Malawi Network of Older Persons' Organisations (MANEPO), a HelpAge global network member who also attended the Council sessio

What comes next

While the resolution is a historic first step, much work lies ahead. The next stage involves determining how the intergovernmental working group will function and, critically, how older persons and their representative organisations will participate in the drafting process.

“This is a moment of triumph,” said Cherian Mathews, Chief Executive of HelpAge International, who was present in Geneva.

“The voices of older people have finally been heard. Governments now acknowledge the urgent need for a dedicated, legally binding instrument. I celebrate alongside older people everywhere who have fought for this for so long.”

A turning point for rights and dignity

This resolution is more than a procedural move – it’s a recognition that the time has come to uphold the dignity, equality, and rights of older people everywhere. As the world population ages, the urgency for robust legal protection grows stronger by the day.

HelpAge International and members of the global network will continue to push for a participatory, inclusive process to ensure the voices of older people remain central in shaping the future convention.

A UN Convention for older people

A United Nations convention on the rights of older people would help us build a solid foundation from which effective national laws can emerge.

It would ensure age discrimination is prohibited in the law, services uphold older people’s dignity, and attitudes and behaviours towards us when we’re older are more respectful.