From championing the rights of older people to driving inclusive humanitarian action and climate leadership, HelpAge’s achievements this year reflect the organisation’s ability to drive meaningful change through advocacy, partnership, and innovative programming on a global scale.
- Older women at the forefront: Through persistent advocacy, older women gained unprecedented recognition in gender equality forums like the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and high-level events such as the second World Summit for Social Development. A dedicated session on their empowerment has now been agreed for CSW70 in 2026.
- Rights: The UN Human Rights Council established an intergovernmental working group to draft a new, legally binding international convention, following decades of advocacy by older people and HelpAge network members seeking to address discrimination, neglect, and systemic ageism worldwide.
- Age inclusion: HelpAge’s Age Inclusion Specialists in eight countries drove critical change in humanitarian responses by ensuring older people are included and their voices are heard in response systems.
- Humanitarian response in Myanmar: HelpAge and partners mobilised $1 million for Myanmar earthquake response, with significant support for older women and those aged 80+.
- Global reach of humanitarian response: 27 grants supported responses in 17 countries, with additional funding enabling aid for seven emergencies such as responding to extreme weather related events in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Haiti.
- IPCC observer status: Securing official observer membership with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC – the UN body for assessing science related to climate change), HelpAge now has a strategic voice in global climate change.
- Achieving greater visibility at COP30 and beyond: Co-organising a COP30 side event and a photo exhibition expanded HelpAge’s influence in climate policy.
- ROAR: The ROAR programme aimed to enhance social protection for older people in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. A recent survey showed that 40% of participants improved digital literacy and 35 Older People’s Associations received startup funding. More than 50 cases of abuse and discrimination were addressed, and awareness in communities of older people’s needs increased, reaching 88%.
- New leadership at HelpAge: Six distinguished leaders in ageing, development, and human rights joined the Board this year, deepening the organisation’s global expertise and commitment to older people’s rights.
- Localisation: HelpAge supported local transitions in Mozambique, Ethiopia and Vietnam to drive ahead our localisation agenda and emphasise nationally led leadership.
- Vietnam: Our partner the Vietnam Association of the Elderly was awarded a Human Act Prize for its innovative ISHC model, and the government in Vietnam has committed to 12,000 new ISHCs in the next decade, bringing the total number to 21,000. And for the first time, older people are now explicitly included in Vietnam’s new Employment Law.
These milestones reflect HelpAge’s unwavering commitment to ensuring older people are recognised, protected, and empowered in every sphere of life. As the organisation looks ahead, our focus on inclusion, localisation, and rights-based advocacy will continue to shape a more just and equitable future for older people everywhere.
