No sustainable development without older persons
The 2026 Ministerial Declaration reinforces the case for placing older persons at the centre of sustainable development
As the international community prepares for the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), attention is turning to progress on water, energy, cities and partnerships. Yet one essential question remains: how can sustainable development succeed if it does not fully include older persons?
Population aging is reshaping societies worldwide. Across all regions, the number of older persons is increasing rapidly, with important implications for labor markets, public services and systems of care.
By 2050, older persons will represent more than one in six people globally. Despite this demographic reality, their rights, needs and contributions remain insufficiently reflected in the implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Access to water and sanitation remains unequal for many older persons, particularly where infrastructure does not consider reduced mobility, disability or rural isolation. For some, the simple act of collecting water or accessing a toilet can become unsafe or undignified. Age-responsive design, including proximity, accessibility and safety, must become standard if universal access is to be achieved.
Energy poverty disproportionately affects older persons – especially older women – limiting access to heating, cooling, and clean cooking. In many contexts, older persons face difficult trade-offs between energy costs and other basic needs. In the context of climate change, this has direct consequences for health, resilience and survival.
Affordable and sustainable energy policies must explicitly address aging populations.
Urban environments are often not designed for aging societies. Barriers in housing, transport and public spaces restrict participation, autonomy and access to services. As cities continue to grow, there is a unique opportunity to invest in inclusive design, age-friendly environments and accessible infrastructure that benefit people of all ages.
Originally published in September 1, 2026 in UN Today, the official magazine of international civil servants of the United Nations at Geneva.
are Co-Chair of the Stakeholder Group on Ageing and Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing & IFA Representative to UNOG respectively.
