OEWGA Milestone – UN Resolution A/RES/78/324

A Historic Milestone: Completion of the OEWGA Mandate

Here is the official GA resolution A/RES/78/324 has been issued: https://undocs.org/A/RES/78/324

In a major development, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/324 on August 13, 2024, marking the conclusion of the OEWGA’s mandate. The resolution acknowledges the work completed by the OEWGA, which had been tasked with considering the gaps in the protection of older persons' rights. This milestone underscores the commitment of the international community to addressing the challenges faced by older persons, particularly in terms of their human rights and well-being.

This resolution formally concludes the OEWGA’s work under agenda item “Social development: social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, persons with disabilities, and the family”. Yet, while the OEWGA has completed its mandate, the journey does not end here. The resolution urges relevant United Nations bodies to continue considering the recommendations adopted in decision 14/1 of the OEWGA.

Perhaps most significantly, the resolution requests the President of the General Assembly to convene a high-level meeting during the 79th session of the UN, where member states will exchange views and share experiences on the recommendations. This meeting will define the next steps on addressing the challenges and opportunities regarding the rights and well-being of older persons. The IPA will play a crucial role in contributing to these discussions, ensuring that mental health remains a central issue on the global agenda.

The Push for a UN Convention on Older Persons’ Rights:

Alongside this historic development, the IPA and our global partners have continued our advocacy for the adoption of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. This has been a long-standing objective, one that the IPA has championed within the OEWGA. The convention would fill the existing gaps in international law, providing a dedicated legal framework to protect the rights of older persons—including in the domain of mental health.

Without a convention, accountability and enforcement remain major challenges. Systems and states that fail to uphold older persons' rights often escape consequences. A convention would create the legal mechanisms necessary to hold governments accountable, ensuring that older persons everywhere enjoy the same rights and protections.