NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva Switzerland

01/11/2026

CIVIL SOCIETY MATTERS!

A historic week for the human rights of older persons!

From 26–30 October 2026, governments, national human rights institutions and civil society gathered at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva for IGWG2, advancing work towards a legally binding UN Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons.

The week began with an NGO preparatory meeting organized by GAROP in partnership with the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva), strengthening coordination and meaningful participation.

FIVE KEY AREAS GUIDED THE DISCUSSIONS:

• Preamble: Vision, purpose and fundamental values.
• Definitions: Inclusive concepts of older persons and age discrimination.
• General Principles and State Obligations: Principles and responsibilities underpinning protection.
• Catalogue of Rights: Closing protection gaps and ensuring equal enjoyment of rights.
• Implementation, Monitoring and International Cooperation:

Turning commitments into practice.

THE ROAD AHEAD: 2026–2027

Ten countries were appointed as cofacilitators: Philippines, Serbia, Slovenia, Uruguay, The Gambia, Qatar, Australia, Brazil, Malta and Lesotho.

The proposed timeline sets out the next steps:

• November 2026: New call for inputs from States and stakeholders.
• December 2026–April 2027: Consultations led by the cofacilitators.
• May–July 2027: Preparation and presentation of draft elements at IGWG3.
• August–October 2027: Regional consultations and preparation of a zero draft.
• November 2027: Presentation of the zero draft at IGWG4 and nomination of The Gambia for the 2028 Chairmanship.

FROM WORDS TO WORK!

We warmly thank Ambassador Carlos Mario Foradori of Argentina for his exceptional leadership and his powerful closing reminder:

“This Chair passes on. Our responsibility does not.”

Our sincere appreciation also goes to OHCHR, the IGWG Secretariat, interpreters and supporting staff for their invaluable contributions.

We welcome Ambassador Ricardo de Souza Monteiro of Brazil, Chair-Rapporteur for 2027, and look forward to working together.

Civil society was present, coordinated and engaged. The journey continues!

🎥 IGWG2 recordings:
https://webtv.un.org/en

📄 GAROP discussion papers:
https://rightsofolderpeople.org/content-of-a-convention/

30/10/2026

Day four of in Geneva began with an informal breakfast exchange between representatives of GAROP, the NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva Switzerland and the governments that will be the IGWG co-facilitators. In the afternoon, many States supported a dedicated treaty body of independent experts to monitor implementation.

Read our Daily Bulletin for Day 4 for the full picture and share it with your networks ⬇️

🔗https://rightsofolderpeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/GAROP-Daily-Bulletin-IGWG2-Day-4.pdf

30/10/2026

WE CAME. WE DIALOGUED. WE MOVED FORWARD!

After five days of discussions in Geneva, the second session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons (IGWG2) concludes today.

Governments, national human rights institutions and civil society have exchanged views on the key elements of a future UN Convention, including its principles, catalogue of rights, State obligations, implementation and monitoring.

Civil society was present, coordinated and rose to the challenge!

As Ambassador Carlos Mario Foradori, Chair-Rapporteur of IGWG2, reminded us in his opening remarks today, it is time to move “from words to work.”

Differences remain, but our determination to move forward is strong!

🎥 Watch the IGWG2 sessions on UN Web TV:
https://webtv.un.org/en

📄 Explore GAROP's discussion papers and proposals for the future Convention:
https://rightsofolderpeople.org/content-of-a-convention/

The journey towards a UN Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons continues!

23/10/2026

GENEVA REFLECTIONS | 23 October 2026
WORKING TOGETHER: FROM PARTICIPATION TO INFLUENCE

As the second session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) begins in Geneva on 26 October, civil society has a unique opportunity to help shape the future UN Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons.
Our message is simple: A Convention about older persons must be shaped WITH older persons!
Meaningful participation, collaboration and diverse voices are essential to turning this ambition into reality.

📄 Read Working Together in Geneva, prepared by GAROP in close partnership with the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva):

https://rightsofolderpeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Working-Together-in-Geneva_FINAL_2.pdf

16/10/2026

Cyberbullying is not just a digital problem. It is a human rights concern — at every age.

Cyberbullying can threaten the dignity, safety and participation of older persons in digital life.

A recent initiative led by Argentina, Guatemala and Paraguay at the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/63/L.11) calls for greater attention to cyberbullying against older persons, including a dedicated OHCHR report on emerging challenges, human rights safeguards and good practices.

Human rights must be protected at every age — online and offline.

13/10/2026

October 9 is !
✅ Let's end Ageism - and Elder Abuse!
🔹 Ageism isn’t just unfair—it’s harmful. It shapes how society treats and can lead to neglect, isolation, and abuse.
Everyone deserves to age with dignity, safety, and respect.
🔸 View EAPO Videos 👉 https://conta.cc/3NF2P7F
🔸 Listen to the EAPO "Aging Vibrantly" podcast : 👉 https://eapon.ca/podcast/
🔸 Don’t forget to subscribe to the EAPO newsletter to stay informed on the latest news, events, and resources : 👉 https://eapon.ca/reg/



CanAge Canadian Coalition Against Ageism National Institute on Ageing UN Decade of Healthy Ageing

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

Missed the event or want to watch it again?

The full recording of “Older Persons at the Centre: Towards a Legally Binding Instrument”, held on 1 October 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, is now available.

▶️ Watch the full recording: https://lnkd.in/eiPZducz

The event marked the International Day of Older Persons 2026 at a historic moment for the advancement of the human rights of older persons, as the international community moves forward with the process towards a legally binding international instrument on the human rights of older persons.With Room V at the Palais des Nations almost at full capacity, and participants also joining online, the event brought together Member States, OHCHR, civil society, experts and older persons from different regions of the world.

Some highlights

🔹 Ambassador Carlos Mario Foradori of Argentina, Chair-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons, provided an important perspective on the process underway and the work ahead towards a legally binding instrument.

🔹 Ambassador Božena Forštnarič Boroje of Slovenia reaffirmed Slovenia’s longstanding commitment to advancing the human rights of older persons and its active engagement in this historic process.

🔹 Dimiter Chalev, Chief of the Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch at OHCHR, reflected on the contribution that a new international instrument can make to strengthening the protection and enjoyment of human rights in older age.

🔹 Veronica Filippeschi, Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), highlighted the particular human rights challenges faced by older persons deprived of liberty.

🔹 Dr Adebisi Adebayo, Bridging Development Gaps, drew attention to the barriers and inequalities experienced by older women in Africa.

🔹 A recorded message from Asha Vijai Rao in India brought the voice and lived experience of an older person directly into the discussion.

One message resonated throughout the event:Human rights do not expire at any age.

IDOP 2026 in Geneva was not simply a commemoration. It was part of a broader and ongoing process towards strengthening the international protection of the human rights of older persons.

The next important step is already approaching: the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons will reconvene in Geneva from 26 to 30 October 2026.

The challenge now is to translate the momentum achieved into commitments, concrete results and a strong and effective legally binding instrument — with older persons at the centre.

06/10/2026

Good news for the human rights of older persons!

On 5 October 2026, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted without a vote the resolution on “Countering cyberbullying”, submitted under document reference A/HRC/63/L.11.

We warmly congratulate Argentina and all co-sponsors on their leadership and commitment and thank all countries whose support enabled the resolution’s adoption without a vote.

The resolution seeks to advance efforts to counter cyberbullying against older persons. It reiterates the request to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, a report identifying recent trends and challenges, applicable human rights principles, safeguards and best practices.

The report is to be made available in accessible and Easy Read formats and presented to the Council at its 65th session.

This is a meaningful step towards ensuring that older persons can participate in the digital world safely, with dignity and full enjoyment of their human rights.

The adopted resolution is available at:
https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/63/L.11

01/10/2026

Today, October 1 is International Day of Older Persons.

This year, drafting for an international legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons officially starts.

GAROP is a network of 418 organisations, working in different countries, contexts and languages. The position we took to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva in July was agreed across that membership, and built on consultations with almost 200 older people in 12 countries.

That is what a treaty shaped by older people looks like at the drafting stage, and it is why we are asking for the same thing at every stage that follows.

Learn more: https://rightsofolderpeople.org/october-1-international-day-of-older-persons-equal-voices-equal-rights/