This week saw a historic moment – the official start of the process of drafting the new UN convention on the rights of older persons in Geneva. The Organisational Meeting of the new Intergovernmental Working Group to elaborate a new legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons took place from 18-20th February. Rose Gahire, Co-chair of GAROP, participated in a ‘Setting the Scene’ panel on the morning of the first day that was followed by an interactive dialogue. GAROP presented a joint statement in the afternoon session where General Statements were heard from different stakeholders. This statement was presented by Elijah Mwega, KARIKA and GAROP Steering Group member, on behalf of our network and can be found below.

Thank you, Chair.

KARIKA makes this statement on behalf of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, a network of over 400 member organisations representing and working alongside older persons across the globe, united to strengthen and promote the rights of older persons.

In April 2025, the Human Rights Council took a historic step by adopting a resolution to establish this Intergovernmental Working Group to draft a new international treaty on the rights of older persons.

The modalities of its work should provide the solid foundations for an inclusive and transformative drafting process that will ensure the legitimacy and effectiveness of the treaty. To this end, we welcome the inclusion of non-ECOSOC organisations for this session and urge continuation of this openness throughout the process.

In addition, the Working Group should guarantee civil society, including older persons and their representative organisations, full and meaningful participation throughout all Working Group sessions, panels and drafting groups. It should also respect civil society’s right to self-organise.

Hybrid participation, webcasting, captioning, and timely publication of all programmes of work, drafts and submissions are essential to ensure full accessibility and transparency.

The Working Group should consolidate the conceptual basis, principles and scope of the treaty before moving to article-by-article negotiations.

We stand ready to support the Working Group and play an active and constructive role in this process so that we can all age with rights.

Thank you.