2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: A Milestone for Population Ageing

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) welcomes a landmark outcome from the 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), where, for the first time, the Ministerial Declaration recognises population ageing as a sustainable development priority. 

The Declaration states “We acknowledge the complex and interrelated opportunities and challenges related to demographic shifts, including rapid population growth or decline, and population ageing, and reaffirm our collective commitment to promoting intergenerational solidarity, inclusive dialogue, and social cohesion, including by creating an enabling environment to ensure a higher quality of life for all individuals throughout the life course and to achieve social development for all, leaving no one behind, as well as through social policies responsive to people of all ages."  

As part of this year's HLPF, IFA contributed written and oral statements to advocate for population ageing to be fully integrated into sustainable development discussions. Our message was clear: ageing is not simply an issue for older persons—it is a lifelong process that affects every generation and every system. 

In its statement, IFA called on Member States to integrate healthy ageing and longevity into national development strategies, invest in inclusive health, care and community systems, and strengthen partnerships across governments, civil society, academia and industry to translate commitments into action. 

This milestone comes alongside continued progress towards a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, reinforcing growing global recognition that longevity is both a development opportunity and a human rights imperative. 

IFA remains committed to working with partners across sectors to embed population ageing across global agendas and help build longevity-ready societies where people of all ages can thrive.