Minister urged to support UN Convention on older people's rights

NPC is backing Age International's call for the UK government to actively support the drafting of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

Jan Shortt, the NPC General Secretary was among representatives of leading organisations who co-signed an Age International letter on the issue to Chris Elmore MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. In it, Age International urges the Minister to ensure the Government fully supports the process of drafting the UN Convention to protect the rights of older people across the world.

Writing to the Minister, Alison Marshall, CEO of Age International, said: “In April 2025 , the Human Rights Council agreed to begin drafting a legally binding instrument and now is the time for the UK Government to support this process fully. The Convention will only succeed if older people, in all their diversity, are meaningfully involved in its drafting and implementation.

"Listening to older people and learning from their lived experiences is essential. By 2050, over 2 billion people across the globe will be aged 60 and over, with 80% living in low and middle -income countries. Our collective increased longevity is a huge achievement. A Convention on the Rights of Older Persons would help all UN Member States by enabling older people to contribute their experience and knowledge more effectively.

"Today, significant gaps in the human rights protections of older people persist. Ageism and age discrimination are widespread and there is no international legally binding legislation to prohibit them. Older people are prevented from taking part fully in society and their contributions are not recognised, especially because ageing bring s with it higher prevalence of disability which exacerbates the barriers older people face. They often face daily violations of their human rights, including not being able to access health and social care, being shut out of jobs, the loss of dignity when using services, and violence and abuse.

"A UN Convention will set a legal framework to guide governments and other stakeholders on how to uphold older people’s rights in a way which will benefit people of all ages. The UK can be proud of its history promoting human rights on the global stage. Supporting the creation of a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons would reaffirm that commitment.

"We hope the UK will demonstrate its support ahead of the organisational meeting of the UN Intergovernmental Working Group responsible for drafting a Convention (18 -20 February 2026). By championing the inclusion of older people in the drafting process, the UK Government would send a strong message, both within the UK and globally, that older people are valued equally as rights holders in society and that the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ will be respected. We look forward to working with your department.”

For more information visit: https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/policy-research/publications/lifting-everyone-up-why-a-un-convention-on-the-rights-of--older-persons-matters/the-campaign-for-a-convention-on-the-rights-of-older-persons/