The European Union has called for a human rights-based approach to ageing as the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons (IGWG) opened its first session in Geneva on 13 July 2026. In a statement delivered under Item 3 (General Statements), the EU stressed the need to address protection gaps and enhance the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of older persons, including through combating ageism, ensuring independent living, and preventing violence and abuse.
The EU's statement, issued by the Delegation to the UN in Geneva, reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to promoting the full enjoyment of all human rights by older persons without discrimination. It highlighted the European Commission's Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, adopted in March 2026, which promotes a long-term intergenerational perspective in policymaking and seeks a fair balance of opportunities and rights across generations. Under this strategy, a compendium of member state good practices is being developed to support exchange on the rights, inclusion and participation of older persons.
The EU noted that it needs more time to deliberate on the session's documentation, particularly the Chair's Food for Thought paper, but underlined that any new standards must be fully aligned with international human rights law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which the EU is an early party. The statement also welcomed broad participation by civil society, older persons with disabilities, and those facing intersecting vulnerabilities.
The IGWG's first session, running from 13 to 17 July 2026, marks the beginning of a process that could lead to new international standards on the rights of older persons. The EU's position reflects a balance between supporting stronger protections and ensuring consistency with existing legal frameworks, a stance that may influence the working group's direction as it considers proposals from various stakeholders.