On the International Day of Older Persons, October 1st, 2024, the City of Geneva hosted a significant event titled “Geneva Calls: A Pivotal Moment for Older Persons’ Rights,” at the Palais des Nations. This session was organized by the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva), in collaboration with Member States and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and took place during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council.
The event provided a crucial platform to reflect on the transformative discussions of the 14th session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) and to explore concrete strategies to strengthen the human rights of older persons. Participants from across regions and sectors addressed the urgent need for legal protections and the inclusion of older persons in all human rights frameworks. The discussions reaffirmed the global commitment to combating ageism and promoting a human rights-based approach to ageing, grounded in dignity and equality.
This commemorative event took on added importance in light of the historic resolution adopted shortly thereafter at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (April 2025), which established a new intergovernmental working group to draft a UN convention on the rights of older persons.
We gratefully acknowledge the City of Geneva for its vital support, which helped amplify the reach of these activities and underscore the city’s commitment to advancing the rights of older persons at both local and global levels
Click the image to watch the full session
OPENING
Alejandro BONILLA GARCIA, Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva.
Representative to UNOG of the International Federation on Ageing. President of
Greycells.
Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ms. Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.
Elisa, year 7, international school of Geneva (Ecolint).
PANEL DISCUSSION
H.E. Ms. Anita PIPAN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
H.E. Carlos Mario FORADORI. Representative of Argentina to the United Nations Office at Geneva
H.E. Francisca Elizabeth MÉNDEZ ESCOBAR, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Ms. Alana Margaret OFFICER. Unit Head for Demographic Change & Healthy Aging, World Health Organization
Mr. Kari TAPIOLA, Former Deputy Director General of the ILO.
MS PERNILLE FENGER, Director of The UNFPA Geneva Office.
Ms. Silvia PEREL-LEVIN, Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva), representative of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA).
H.E. Mr. Héctor Virgilio ALCÁNTARA. Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations office at Geneva.
PHOTO GALLERY
