Abigail Booth, ENNHRI's representative at recent negotiations in Geneva on the UN Convention for the Rights of Older Persons, delivering her intervention
11 Aug 2026

NHRIs make important contributions as further steps taken towards UN convention on rights of older persons

From 13 to 17 July 2026, ENNHRI participated in the first substantive session of the UN Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons (IGWG) in Geneva. This marked an important step towards a new legally binding international instrument dedicated to the human rights of older persons.

Abigail Booth, Co-Chair of ENNHRI’s Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and representative of the Swedish Institute for Human Rights, delivered ENNHRI’s opening statement. She welcomed the launch of the drafting process and reaffirmed ENNHRI’s commitment to supporting its development. Reflecting on the significance of the session, she noted:

“The start of these negotiations was a historic moment. As National Human Rights Institutions, we were delighted to contribute our expertise as we took the first steps towards this much-needed Convention on the human rights of older persons. It is vital now to keep up this momentum.”

ENNHRI members also delivered a joint statement on behalf of 16 A-status NHRIs from different regions.

In their interventions, NHRIs called for the future instrument to:

  • Recognise older persons as full rights-holders and adopt a human rights-based approach to aging;
  • Address normative protection gaps while building on existing international human rights standards;
  • Explicitly prohibit ageism, age discrimination and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination;
  • Establish clear State obligations, backed by effective implementation, accountability and access to remedies;
  • Ensure meaningful participation of older persons, NHRIs and civil society throughout drafting and implementation;
  • Provide for strong independent monitoring, including a central role for independent NHRIs.

The second substantive session is expected in October 2026, and ENNHRI will continue supporting its members’ engagement in the drafting process.

Read ENNHRI’s opening statement to the IGWG here.

Find out more in ENNHRI’s recent LinkedIn post.

Learn more about ENNHRI’s work on the rights of older persons.

More articles