Spain is preparing for the International Convention on the Rights of Older Persons at the United Nations in the face of an ageing population and where ageism is the order of the day.
The Director General of Imserso, Mayte Sancho, at the meeting to prepare Spain’s draft proposal for the UN convention on older persons. Photo: IMSERSO
María José Pintor Sánchez-Ocaña
Madrid-11/02/2026 21:40
The Imserso hosted a conference on the drafting process for the future UN International Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, at which its Director General, Mayte Sancho, announced that ‘it will be a groundbreaking process to guarantee the rights of ageing people’.
Rosa Martínez, Secretary of State for Social Rights, emphasised at the meeting that ‘ageing is a human rights issue’. Meanwhile, ageist attitudes are on the rise in a society where, however, there are increasingly more people over the age of 70.
The drafting process begins in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 and 20 February. In April 2025, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council approved a Resolution to begin drafting an International Convention on the Rights of Older Persons during its 58th session held in Geneva, which was attended by Imserso, representing Spain, which has supported this process since its inception.
Times of longevity
This UN convention is being held at a very important time for the world in general, and for old Europe in particular, due to the high degree of population ageing. Spain is also one of the countries with the oldest population on the continent.
Longevity, living longer and better, should not be a problem but a privilege. However, the world must adapt to a new reality with more than 170 million people over the age of 80.
This reality also implies a social, political and urban transformation that has not yet arrived. However, older people contribute resources, savings and a high level of consumption that helps the family and global economy of society.
An ageing population has greater needs, pensions and investment in health. Although the economics of ageing have been highlighting the issue of longevity, the truth is that there has not yet been a real transformation in society, where ageism still prevails.
ESO (European Senior Organisation) strongly supports this proposal and calls on other EU Member States and the European Commission to join and support the Spanish initiative.
www.socialistseniors.eu