The European Union has called for a human rights-based approach to ageing that recognises older persons as rights-holders and active members of society, in a statement delivered on 13 July 2026 at the first session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons in Geneva. The EU stressed the need to address protection gaps and enhance respect for the human rights of older persons, including combating ageism, violence, neglect, and abuse, and ensuring meaningful participation and independent living.
The statement, delivered by the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva, noted that the EU has a significant legislative and policy acquis benefiting older persons. It highlighted the European Commission's March 2026 Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, which promotes a long-term intergenerational perspective in policymaking and seeks a fair balance of opportunities across generations. Under this strategy, a compendium of member state good practices is being developed to support exchange on rights, inclusion, and participation of older persons.
The EU welcomed the working group's documentation but said it needed more time to deliberate on the 'Food for Thought' paper. It underlined that any new standards on older persons' rights must be fully aligned with international human rights law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the EU is an early party. The statement also called for broad participation by civil society and older persons from all regions, including those with disabilities and facing intersecting vulnerabilities.