NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva Switzerland

It was a pleasure and a privilege to participate in the 3rd World Congress on Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in San Sebastián, together with so many talented colleagues, experts, practitioners, advocates, and local leaders from around the world.
The Congress provided a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, share experiences, strengthen existing partnerships, build new ones, and draw inspiration from innovative initiatives taking place across the globe. Above all, it was characterized by a spirit of collaboration, commitment, and positive energy.
We were particularly pleased to see the strong contributions of civil society throughout the Congress, including the excellent intervention of Silvia Perel-Levin, representing INPEA and serving as Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva). We were also honoured to contribute to the discussions on behalf of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva).
Thank you, Spain, IMSERSO, María Teresa Sancho Castiello, Manuel Veguín García, the World Health Organization, and Thiago Herick de Sá, for bringing together such a remarkable global community committed to creating more age-friendly and inclusive societies.
We leave with new ideas, renewed motivation, stronger partnerships, and a shared commitment to advancing the rights, participation, and well-being of older persons and people of all ages.

🔜Join the BAGSO Event on the 𝗠𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

📅 Thursday, 25 June 2026
🕝 2h30 PM (CET)
💻 Online

Our member BAGSO is organising the event “𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔: 𝑪𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝑰𝑷𝑨𝑨 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔”.

This timely discussion offers a valuable opportunity to explore the latest developments in the implementation of the 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗠𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗔), as well as preparations for the upcoming Ministerial Conference on Ageing in September 2027.

🔗 Register and find out more: https://www.age-platform.eu/event/bagso-an-engaged-civil-society-as-engine-for-an-age-friendly-society

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage and stay informed!

Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year.

What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse can take a number of forms
🚫 Physical
🚫 Psychological
🚫 Sexual
🚫 Financial
🚫 Neglect

A must-read new article in the International Journal of Human Rights: “From New York to Geneva: advancing a new international human rights convention for older persons,” co-authored by Israel (Issi) Doron and, our very own, Silvia Perel-Levin.

We are at a pivotal moment for the rights of older persons globally—one built on decades of advocacy and the hard work of those who laid the foundation for where we are today.

From New York to Geneva: advancing a new international human rights convention for older persons Despite rapid global demographic ageing, older persons remain a significant population group without a dedicated, UN-based, binding international human rights instrument. Over the past two decades,...

A simple, yet powerful, sign of hope … keep advocating and working hard toward advancing the rights of older persons. 

: dandelions in the iconic Alley of the Flags at UN Geneva.

📸 UN Photo/Alexandra Wenger

Warm congratulations to Dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek on his appointment as UN Independent Expert on the human rights of older persons.

It is a great pleasure to see this important mandate entrusted to someone with such strong expertise and commitment.

The NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Pirtošek as a panelist at our International Day of Older Persons 2025 event in Geneva, where his insights were highly appreciated and inspiring.

At a time when the international community is advancing discussions on strengthening the protection of the rights of older persons, his leadership will be particularly valuable.

On behalf of the NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva), we look forward to working closely with him and supporting his mandate.