The fourth session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) will meet in New York between 12 and 15 August 2013. The OEWGA, which is made up of all UN member states, was set up in 2010 to discuss the possibility of a new human rights instrument dedicated to older people’s rights.

A new HelpAge report – endorsed by Save the Children - reveals that the needs of older people and young children are not being catered for in the humanitarian system’s response to emergencies around the world.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Toby Porter as our new Chief Executive Officer. Toby brings to his new role an impressive record in humanitarian and development programmes with Save the Children UK and Oxfam GB. He will take up his new post with HelpAge at the end of September.

This week our Interim CEO, Silvia Stefanoni and Social Protection Adviser, Andrea McPherson, are attending and speaking at the meeting of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (OWG) at the United Nations in New York.

To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June, HelpAge has published new research that reveals the high levels of violence and abuse experienced by older women and men around the world. Older activists are also taking part in the Age Demands Action for Rights campaign in more than 20 countries.