The National Old Folks of Liberia has disclosed that on April 3, 2025 UN member states in the Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a landmark, Resolution 1, to create a new intergovernmental working group to draft an international legally binding instrument (UN convention) on the human rights of older persons.
According to a release, to ensure the historic decision on the human rights of older persons on April 14, 2025 governments decided to start drafting an international convention.
“This milestone is the culmination of many years of advocacy and campaigning by older persons, civil society and other advocates around the world, including the National Old Folks of Liberia (NOFOL), and the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL),” the released added.
The release said 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,” the released asserted.
The release pointed out that the convention will provide greater clarity and essential guidance to states on how to better promote and protect older persons’ rights, and it will help eliminate ageism and age discrimination and ensure that older persons can seek redress for violations of their rights.
According to the release, this important political decision brings every nation closer to making this a reality.
The release explained that Elijah Mwega, Founder of KARIKA Kenya and Global Alliance Steering Group member, travelled to Geneva to participate in the UN Human Rights Council session. As the resolution was adopted, Elijah said, “This feels like our dream has come true, our voices have been heard, and governments have now recognized at the global level that they need to develop a dedicated UN convention.
“I stand in solidarity and celebrate with older people around the world who have been pushing for this decision for a long time. We are ready to work with our governments to ensure that this UN convention delivers for older persons everywhere,” the release indicated.
The release said, for the National Old Folks of Liberia in collaboration with COCAEL, the next step at the UN level will be to determine how the new intergovernmental working group will be resourced and organized.
“Ina Voelcker, co-chair of the Global Alliance, was also in Geneva for this session and said, ‘We commend the work of the core group of states who led this resolution. We will continue to advocate for the full, meaningful and effective participation of civil society, especially older persons and their representative organizations the release cited.’
“It is vital that this new drafting process is as inclusive and transparent as possible. We look forward to engaging with the new working group and the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to achieve this,” the release stressed.
The release added that the resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council about GAROP was established in 2011. The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) was born out of the need to strengthen the rights and voice of older people globally.
“Today, GAROP is a network of over 400 members worldwide, united in our work to strengthen and promote the rights of older persons. Our mission is to support and enhance civil society’s engagement with member states and national human rights institutions at national, regional and international levels around a UN convention on the rights of older persons,” the release stated.
The release revealed that the Resolution 1 was proposed by a core group of member states comprising Argentina, Brazil, the Gambia, the Philippines and Slovenia.
