Blog of Donatella Benjamin, SI Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. 

Geneva Calls: A Pivotal Moment for Older Persons’ Rights, celebrating the International Day of Older Persons

“Geneva Calls: A Pivotal Moment for Older Persons’ Rights” was organised by the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) on October 1st, and co-sponsored by Soroptimist International.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered opening remarks through a video message, emphasising that by 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to exceed 1.6 billion, constituting 16% of the global population. He called for a renewed commitment to uphold the dignity and rights of older persons, highlighting the growing support from Member States for an international legally binding instrument to protect these rights. The message of the High Commissioner can be found here https://youtu.be/Atdrg1pvgu8

The opening session also featured messages from the Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva), the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons https://youtu.be/PmHBILIrHww and Elisa, a 7 year student at the International School of Geneva, who will be an old person in 2060 https://youtu.be/dRqs0fxwSRU

The event celebrated the vital contributions of older individuals. Key speakers included Permanent Representatives of Slovenia, Argentina, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, representatives from WHO, UNFPA, INPEA, and the former Deputy Director General of ILO.

They emphasised the importance of combating ageism, strengthening enforcement mechanisms for local policies, and fostering collaboration across sectors. The need for a legally binding instrument was echoed throughout the event, along with the emphasis on the meaningful participation of civil society and NGOs in drafting resolutions.

Link to the complete recording and more pictures of the event: https://ageingcommitteegeneva.org/idop-2024/.