July 2026

From Recognition to Action: Achieving Global Milestones for Population Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons 

July marked an important month with many exciting achievements towards advancing the recognition of population ageing as a global priority for sustainable development and human rights.

IFA is pleased to share exciting milestones that reflect this growing global momentum:

The 2026 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) marked an important milestone for sustainable development with the landmark recognition of population ageing as a key consideration for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. For the first time, the Ministerial Declaration commits to intergenerational solidarity, life-course approaches, social cohesion, and policies that respond to people of all ages, reflecting growing global recognition that demographic change must be integrated into sustainable development planning.

Throughout HLPF, IFA was proud to contribute to these discussions through official written and oral statements, engagement with Member States, and participation in key policy dialogues. In our advocacy, IFA called for population ageing to be fully integrated across the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing that healthy ageing, longevity readiness, and life-course approaches are essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda. 

This recognition must now translate into action. 

Read IFA’s full statement here.

Additional optimism was built during the Ministerial Segment of the HLPF where the UN Secretary-General highlighted the urgent need to accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG11- Sustainable Cities and Communities. This recognition built towards the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda, which IFA has advocated as an important opportunity to accelerate progress towards sustainable urbanization, and the meaningful inclusion of older adults. While the UN renewed its political commitment, delegates agreed the next decade must focus on turning promises into results through investment and implementation. A longevity lens must be integrated across health, housing, care systems, climate resilience, and urban development, while strengthening the connection between global commitments and action at the community level.

Momentum continued in Geneva as well with the historic first session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG), launching efforts toward a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. This represents a landmark achievement following years of advocacy by older persons, civil society organizations, governments, and partners around the world, and an important step toward strengthening the protection of human rights in older age.  

Read more about IFA’s contributions and engagement in this process in the recap authored by IFA’s representative to the UN in Geneva, Alejandro Bonilla Garcia, with contributions from IFA’s representatives to the UN and members here.

IFA is honoured to contribute to these global conversations and remains committed to working alongside our members and partners to ensure these commitments translate into meaningful action. Our message has been consistent: ageing is not simply an issue for older persons; it is a lifelong process that touches every generation and system.

We are looking for case studies that showcase practical experiences, innovative approaches, or valuable lessons that can inspire and inform cities and communities around the world. Selected presenters will have the opportunity to deliver a 5-minute presentation during one of five interactive AFE ECHO sessions, followed by discussion with international experts and participants. 



Submit your case study by August 10, 2026, using the attached Google Form.

We look forward to learning from your experiences and advancing age-friendly environments together through global knowledge exchange!

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is inviting people living with neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) to participate in a global survey exploring treatment experiences, care preferences, and the realities of living with the condition. 

The insights gathered will help inform future policy, advocacy, and practical approaches to improving person-centred eye care and supporting healthy ageing. 

If your organization works with older adults, people living with AMD, eye care professionals, or patient communities, we would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this survey through your networks. 

Help amplify the voices of people living with wet AMD and contribute to shaping more person-centred care to advance vision health. 

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) encourages our members and global network to participate in the World Health Organization's public consultation on the draft WHO Global Standards for Long-Term Care.

As the first global framework for quality long-term care for older people, the draft standards provide a foundation for strengthening care systems globally. Input from older persons, caregivers, civil society, providers, the care workforce, and

communities is essential to ensure the standards are practical, person-centred, feasible to implement and responsive to local contexts.



The public consultation is open until 30 October 2026. Click on the button below to know more.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to strengthen the consultation and engage with IFA to facilitate the exchange of promising policies and models of care, amplify good practices and innovation, and strengthen collective advocacy to accelerate the implementation of high-quality, person-centred long-term care systems.

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