BLANTYRE, MALAWI – On 3rd April 2025, in a landmark decision, United Nations (UN) Member States in the Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a landmark resolution to create a new intergovernmental working group to draft an international legally binding instrument (UN convention) on the human rights of older persons.
This milestone is the culmination of many years of advocacy and campaigning by older persons themselves, civil society organizations such as MANEPO, and other global human rights defenders. The evidence compiled over this period has demonstrated that the best solution to the deficiencies and fragmentation in the international human rights system is a dedicated convention.
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.
This resolution represents a critical step forward in ensuring that all individuals,
regardless of age, are protected under a robust and comprehensive legal framework.
MANEPO welcomes this groundbreaking decision and remains committed to working
with stakeholders at national, regional, and global levels to ensure its successful
realization.
Signed on 3rd April 2025
Andrew Kavala
MANEPO Executive Director
