DATE: 1 October 2024 (Tuesday)
TIME: 15:00 – 16:30 CEST

On the International Day of Older Persons, October 1st, 2024, Geneva hosted a significant event titled “Geneva Calls: A Pivotal Moment for Older Persons’ Rights,” at the Palais des Nations. This session, organized by the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva, in collaboration with Member States and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), coincided with the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). It is a crucial forum for examining and discussing the progress and actionable strategies that Member States and stakeholders can employ to enhance the human rights of older persons.

This event not only aimed to reflect on the transformative discussions of the 14th session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) but also to explore ways to sustain the momentum towards robust legal protections and the inclusion of older persons in all human rights frameworks. Furthermore, this occasion underscored the ongoing global effort to recognize and safeguard the rights of older individuals, spotlighting the urgent need to combat ageism and promote an inclusive approach that respects and values the diversity of older persons. This event was a vital step in advancing the discourse on older persons’ rights, emphasizing the necessity of an international legally binding instrument dedicated to their protection.