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HelpAge International is a global network of organisations working for the rights of older people.

05/06/2026

📢 Good news! Registration for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing has been extended until 5 July.

Don't miss the opportunity to join leading voices from across Asia and the Pacific for discussions on ageing, care systems, the silver economy, technology, healthy ageing, and more.

Be part of the conversations shaping the future of ageing in the region.

Register now: https://ow.ly/y2on50Z7RYt

03/06/2026

Nearly 500 participants from governments, civil society, academia, international organisations, and the private sector came together for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing.

In 2026, the conference returns to continue the conversation on the opportunities and challenges of population ageing, bringing together diverse perspectives to explore the issues shaping the future of ageing across the region.

Read the proceedings from the 2024 conference: https://ow.ly/F0Jx50Z60it

Register for the 2026 conference: https://ow.ly/mqOi50Z60iy

02/06/2026

In emergencies, older people, people with disabilities, and other at-risk groups are often among the most affected, yet their needs can be overlooked in humanitarian responses.

HelpAge International has developed a range of practical resources to support more inclusive preparedness and emergency response, including guidelines on shelter, health, livelihoods, needs assessments, and emergency preparedness.

We have also created interactive learning games to help humanitarian staff and volunteers better understand the importance of age, disability, and gender inclusion in crisis settings.

Explore and download the resources here: https://ow.ly/Crlk50Z60aj

30/05/2026

Understanding the rights of older people and the key elements of a human rights-based approach to ageing is key.

Our training toolkit offers practical guidance for applying these principles and adopting a rights-based approach in your work.

Check the toolkit: https://www.helpage.org/human-rights-toolkit/

28/05/2026

📢 Next week: join our global webinar on integrated health and care for older people.

Hear perspectives from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Ukraine on how communities are helping improve access to more inclusive and person-centred health and care systems for older people.

🗓️ 2 June 2026
⏰ 12:00–13:30 UTC

Organised in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), FAID Pakistan, HelpAge-Ethiopia, Tesfa Social & Development Association, and HelpAge International Tanzania.

Register here: https://ow.ly/X4jn50YYwV0

27/05/2026

Only 5 days left to register for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing.

This is the region’s leading platform for policy dialogue on population ageing, bringing together decision-makers, experts, and practitioners shaping responses across Asia and the Pacific.

You still have time to join the conversation, connect with key actors across the region, and help shape the future of ageing in Asia-Pacific.

The Conference is hosted by the China National Committee on Ageing and UNFPA, supported by the Tsao Foundation, and organised in collaboration with United Nations ESCAP, Age International, and the Renmin University of China.

Read more here: https://www.ageingasiaconf2026.org/registration

25/05/2026

The first official session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons will take place this July, marking an important step towards a UN Convention on the rights of older people.

The Working Group is the main UN body leading discussions on a future legally binding instrument to better protect the human rights of older people worldwide. This upcoming session will help shape how the process moves ahead, and civil society organisations have already been consulted by the Chair of the Working Group for their input.

Earlier this year, HelpAge International and GAROP attended the initial meeting of the Working Group at the UN in Geneva, where campaigners and civil society organisations called for older people’s voices to be meaningfully included throughout the process.

Watch Kgosietsile Sehularo, from the South African Older Persons Forum, reflect on why this moment matters and what he hopes to see in the process ahead.

22/05/2026

Every day, older people are breaking barriers and inspiring change.

Our newsletter brings you closer to these stories - advocating for rights, tackling ageism, and empowering communities worldwide.

Don’t miss out:
- Exclusive insights
- Inspiring voices
- Updates that matter

Join us on this journey. Subscribe today: https://www.helpage.org/newsletter/

20/05/2026

At the World Health Assembly ( ), HelpAge International is calling for urgent action to make Universal Health Coverage (UHC) work for everyone, at every age.

We’re urging governments to:
1. Make UHC a national priority, recognising its role in building strong, equitable and resilient societies
2. Champion inclusive health and care systems fit for an ageing world
3. Protect people from financial hardship by reducing and ultimately abolishing out-of-pocket health costs for those most at risk, especially older people
4. Invest in UHC benefit packages across the life course, ensuring access to everything from prevention and treatment to long-term care and support
5. Address barriers older people face in accessing care, including tackling ageism and ensuring services are available, accessible and of good quality
6. Strengthen the building blocks of equitable health systems, from workforce and service delivery to financing, data and governance
7. Promote a rights-based approach to UHC, ensuring older people’s voices are heard in how services are designed and delivered.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/8SGf50Z24ZP

19/05/2026

We’re at the World Health Assembly (hashtag ) with a clear message: health systems can be redesigned to meet people’s needs as they age.

Yesterday we took part in a side-event with World Health Organization, International Federation on Ageing and the Government of France. HelpAge shared learnings through the ALIGN project - a multi-country project launched in 2025 to strengthen joined-up, person-centred care for older people in their communities.

We illustrated the impact of the ALIGN project through a practical example from Ethiopia, where ALIGN is helping connect homes, health extension workers and hospitals. Through training and community-based screening (delivered with HelpAge network member TESFA), older people are being identified earlier and linked into care: 1,170 older people have been screened for common NCDs such as diabetes and high blood pressure (with follow-up checks in place), and 168 people have received eye tests with referral pathways for anyone needing further care.

We demonstrated what this looks like in practice, and why community-level approaches, backed by strong referral pathways and system linkages, are essential for building health systems that are fit for an ageing world.

Read more about ALIGN and the Ethiopia story here: https://www.helpage.org/news/align-a-new-way-to-rethink-ageing-and-health/ and watch a video illustrating the impact of ALIGN in Ethiopia: https://youtu.be/RUEMF9vlQM8

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Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road
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Website

http://www.helpage.org/

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