Text reads: Around half of the privately rented homes in England and Wales will need improving to meet new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. Graphic below indicates 49% of privately rented homes in England and 59% in Wales will need improving to meet new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

Older private renters are often living in the oldest, coldest homes, trapped in fuel poverty. So, raising the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards could be transformative. Our report explores how to apply MEES in England and Wales without causing hardship 👇

www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Catch up on the developments on the 2nd day and the conclusion of the Organisational Meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons with our second day Daily Bulletin!

The drafting process of the new UN convention has begun! #IGWG1

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Want to know what happened on the first day at #IGWG1 in Geneva? Catch up with our Daily Bulletin:
rightsofolderpeople.org/wp-content/u...
Watch the second day live now here: webtv.un.org/en/asset/k18...

Members of our global network gathered yesterday with our friends from National Human Rights Institutions for our preparation day ahead of the #IGWG1 It is exciting to see this convention drafting process finally begin in Geneva! #EqualVoicesEqualRights

Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your expertise and insights! We appreciated your support and contributions very much #IGWG1

1st Meeting, Organizational Meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group on older persons The Intergovernmental Working Group on older persons is an open-ended intergovernmental body. Its primary mandate is to elaborate a comprehensive, internationally legally binding instrument on the hum...

The Organisational Meeting of the new Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons is starting now. Follow live on @unwebtv.bsky.social and look out for our updates! #IGWG1

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A message from Silvia Triboni, Portugal, for the Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

Silvia from Portugal joins the #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026 and calls for everyone to become activists and participate in the drafting of the new UN convention!

#EqualVoicesEqualRights

Watch the message here: youtu.be/3oUnQu17kkM

Message from Dr Heidrun Mollenkopf for the Age With Rights campaign Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"As representatives of civil society and NGOs of and for older people we are demanding that our voices will be heard. We expect to contribute in a significant way to the drafting of the text" says Heidrun of BAGSO, Germany - a powerful message for #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026
youtu.be/hOMt4bPs7YI

Our #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026 week closes today. We will continue to post photos and videos in the run-up to the UN #IGWG meeting in Geneva on 18-20th Feb.

Huge thanks to all who mobilised and supported our call for #EqualVoicesEqualRights in the negotiation of the new UN convention!

Message from Margaret Young for the Age With Rights campaign Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"Across every region, people are raising their voices calling for #EqualVoicesEqualRights and to ensure older persons and their organisations are meaningfully included in shaping the convention" says Margaret Young of Age Knowble for #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026

www.youtube.com/watch?v=thVk...

Message from Renata Trottmann Probst, Soroptimist International President, for the Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"Older women remain among the least visible when it comes to rights and access to justice...A convention shaped with older people and not just for them will be stronger, fairer and more grounded in reality" says Renata of @soroptimistglobal.bsky.social for the #GlobalRally2026

youtu.be/8qS7WsVsslU

An anonymous quote from an older person reads: “I can't believe how much Independent Age has done for me. I am over the moon with the support. The support has made the difference between me giving up on life and choosing to carry on.”

Every day our advisers speak to older people whose mental health is being impacted by financial worries.

This #TimeToTalkDay learn what to look out for and how to help an older friend or relative.

www.independentage.org/get-advice/health-wellbe...

Message from H.E. Permanent Representative of Slovenia Ambassador Anita Pipan for the Global Rally YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"Above all we call for the meaningful participation of older persons themselves. Nothing about older persons should ever be decided without them." Thank you to Ambassador Pipan of Slovenia for this leadership and commitment to #EqualVoicesEqualRights! #GlobalRally2026

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💪Amazing to see this mobilisation in Nepal for the #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026. Ageing Nepal coordinated a large gathering of older people calling for #EqualVoicesEqualRights in the drafting and negotiation of the UN convention and multistakeholder dialogue.

Message from Prof. Israel Doron for the Age With Rights campaign Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

Inspiring words from Prof Doron: "Join the #GlobalRally2026 for older people's rights. Speak out, mobilise your govts, civil society organisations and older people in your communities to stand behind this convention. Together we will will succeed"

#EqualVoiceEqualRights

youtu.be/aOaK3j63FAw

Message from Mayte Sancho Castiello of the Spanish Government for the Age With Rights Global Rally YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"In Spain we are going to build participatory instruments in which the voice of older persons is present from the very beginning" says Mayte Sancho Castiello for #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026

Thank you @imserso.bsky.social for your commitment to #EqualVoicesEqualRights !

youtu.be/JIhB0SXMb1Y

What should a UN convention on the rights of older people look like? Today as part of our #GlobalRally2026 we released a paper to stimulate discussion on the conceptual framework, underlying principles and possible scope of a new convention.

Read more: rightsofolderpeople.org/content-of-a...

28 January 2026 YouTube video by Dr Asha Vijai Rao

"We call for older people to be at the heart of the drafting and negotiating of a UN convention. This meaningful participation is essential to ensure the convention is ambitious and effective" says Dr. Asha Vijai Rao of India for the #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026

youtu.be/U-BzYSDm_VI?...

"Nothing about older people without older people. Participation is essential. Older people must be involved in shaping the policies and decisions that concern them" says @debattista.bsky.social

Thank you Malta for supporting our #AgeWithRights #GlobalRally2026 this week!

youtu.be/AqH0oOc4gTs

Photo shows a group of older people in Kenya outside next to a building holding up an Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 campaign banner.

Our #GlobalRally2026 kicks off today - a week of coordinated global mobilisation for the #AgeWithRights campaign.

We are insisting on older people's full participation in the drafting of the UN convention at all stages.

Repost to show your solidarity! #EqualVoicesEqualRights

A message from Sanju Thapa Magar for the Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"We are entering a very critical stage. The participation of older people and civil society must be ensured throughout the entire drafting process" says Sanju of Ageing Nepal

💪Let us stand together to demand #EqualVoicesEqualRights for older people!

Watch Sanju's video: youtu.be/h2K6JlyuaE8

Message from Marta Hajek , Co-chair of GAROP, for the Age With Rights campaign Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"A UN convention must be drafted with the meaningful and effective participation of all civil society, and be inclusive of older people at every stage" says Marta, GAROP Co-chair.

This is the moment - support our rally for #EqualVoicesEqualRights #AgeWithRights

Watch here: youtu.be/0MgiR1hTnZA

Message from Lusungu Luhanga, Elderly Assistance Network (EAN), Malawi, for the Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

Our #GlobalRally2026 is building solidarity and awareness around our rights in older age.

Lusungu from Malawi says 'Older people deserve to #AgeWithRights, respect and dignity. We stand in unity with older persons world-wide.'

Listen to Lusungu's full message: youtu.be/sSXe_RFn6fg

A message from Manuel Veguín García, Government of Spain, for the Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

"The UN resolution in 2025 was a historic milestone. As the Spanish government, we will rally for a UN convention - it is the moment!" says Manuel Veguín García of
@imserso.bsky.social

Thank you Manuel for this #GlobalRally2026 video statement!: youtu.be/W4I64dzWE3I

#AgeWithRights

Message from Joao Iotti for the Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

Why is our #GlobalRally2026 so important?

Because we need the new UN convention on older people's rights to be strong, ambitious and effective, explains João Iotti of ILC Brazil.

#AgeWithRights is a commitment to present and future generations!

Watch João's video here: youtu.be/JgTr6BhHxw0

Image shows an older woman in Nigeria holding an Age With Rights campaign banner surrounded by other older women. Caption reads 'Global Rally, 1-7 February 2026, rightsofolderpeople.org'

Why a Global Rally? Because older people must have equal voice and participation in drafting the new UN convention. Older people's rights must be respected. Join us from 1-7 February! #AgeWithRights #EqualVoicesEqualRights

Message from Paulette Metang for the Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

🌍Our GAROP Steering Group member, Paulette Metang,
of ACAMAGE in Cameroon welcomes the #GlobalRally2026 and urges govts to ensure older people have equal voice throughout the entire negotiation process for a UN Convention!💪

Full message here:
youtube.com/shorts/q2KHV...

#AgeWithRights

A white card with a curled red ribbon at the top and the logos for Kallis and Independent Age at the bottom asks event attendees: 'how did today make you feel?' A handwritten response reads: Today was "outstanding". What a FAB welcome. I felt safe, looked after, seen and cherished.

Paula, an attendee at the Independent Age and Kallis event, wrote about her day. Her handwritten note reads: Wonderful! Special! Included! Useful. That I can make a difference. Welcomed. Loved. Valued. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Paula.

An attendee's feedback on the Kallis and Independent Age event reads: Lovely team who worked tirelessly to ensure attendees had an enjoyable time. Excellent lunch and great range of activities. Also nice interacting with everyone, hope this event is repeated. Thank you all for your sterling hard work.

Another attendee response reads: Happy and involved, wanted and appreciated. Met new friends and old. Fabulous and happy, a fabulous day. Thank you. Love Vonnie X

We are so pleased to have worked with Kallis on such a special day for many of the older people who support our work 💚

From pulling crackers to belting out Christmas classics, we had a lovely time with our guests and appreciate their kind feedback.

www.independentage.org/support-us

A message from Rigbe Gebrehawaria for the Age With Rights Global Rally 2026 YouTube video by Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People

Thank you to Rigbe Gebrehawaria for supporting the #GlobalRally2026 & calling on govts to demonstrate leadership at the February IGWG meeting!

We should leverage Africa's valuable experience & amplify older people's voices from Africa in this process

#AgeWithRights

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