GIA Longevity is pleased to highlight this external event organized by the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) and partners in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) 2025. We are proud to support and amplify this initiative as it aligns with our mission to advance a longevity-ready society.
Context
IDOP 2025 takes place at a pivotal moment. On 3 April 2025, the Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 58/13, establishing an intergovernmental working group mandated to elaborate a legally binding international instrument on the human rights of older persons. The 2025 commemoration highlights the rationale for such an instrument and the roles and responsibilities of each actor in supporting the process toward a future convention.
Objectives
To foster coordinated engagement across governments, the UN system, civil society organizations, and national human rights institutions in support of the new intergovernmental process; to reaffirm older persons as rights-holders and active agents; and to promote intergenerational dialogue as we move from awareness to shared responsibility.
Key messages
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The adoption of HRC/RES/58/13 marks the start of a formal process; sustained engagement is essential to achieve a robust and inclusive convention text.
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Responsibilities are distinct yet complementary across actors and levels — from grassroots mobilization to multilateral negotiations.
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Securing the human rights of older persons today builds a fair and inclusive future for all generations.
Participants
Welcome & closing: Mr. Alejandro Bonilla Garcia, Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) & IFA Representative to the UN.
Opening keynote messages: Ms. Ilze Brands, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, United Nations (video); Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU.
Government leadership & accountability: Ms. Ursula Cristina Basset, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentina (online); H.E. Mr. Cherno Marenah, Deputy Permanent Representative, The Gambia.
UN system engagement: Ms. Chitralekha Marie Massey, Chief, The Rights of Older Persons (DESIB); Mr. Tim De Meyer, Senior Adviser on Labour Standards Policy, ILO.
Civil society & NHRIs: Ms. Ina Voelcker, Co-Chair, GAROP; Head of International Policy, BAGSO; Mr. Gregor Sneddon, Secretary-General, International Federation on Ageing (video); Ms. Anna Chabiera, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of Poland; Vice-Chair, GANHRI Working Group on Ageing and Human Rights of Older Persons (online).
Academia: Mr. Michael Stein, Executive Director, Harvard Law School Project on Disability (online); Mr. Zvezdan Pirtošek, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana.
Intergenerational solidarity: Mr. Mohammad Shehadat, refugee youth activist, Kofi Annan Changemaker; Mr. Maciej Kucharczyk, Secretary-General, AGE Platform Europe.
Moderator: Ms. Silvia Perel-Levin, Vice-Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva); representative of INPEA and the ILC Global Alliance.
Logistics & registration
Date/Time: Friday, 26 September 2025, 13:00–15:00 (Geneva).
Venue: Room V (Building A), Palais des Nations, Geneva.
Format: Hybrid (in person and online).
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Program & concept note | Register (in person) | Register (online)
As a global, cross-sector partnership devoted to the ageing and longevity ecosystem, GIA Longevity advances a society where everyone can thrive across longer lives. The proposed convention and the intergovernmental process align directly with our mission to drive awareness and ignite aligned action for a world built for longevity.