View this newsletter in English | français | español (powered by Google Translate)

A message from the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities Secretariat at WHO

Over recent months, WHO has undergone an important reorganisation process in response to rapidly evolving global health and broader geopolitical contexts.

While these changes have brought challenges, we're pleased to share that age-friendly environments and the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities remains an organizational priority for WHO.

This commitment is reflected in the continued dedication of our staff and the strong visibility of age-friendly environments in key strategic developments, including the WHO European Region's Strategy Ageing is Living and the WHO South-East Asia Region's Colombo Declaration, to name just two recent examples.

We're also pleased to confirm that Thiago Herick de Sá will continue to be the responsible officer for age-friendly environments, providing overall coordination for the Global Network at WHO Headquarters and ensuring the continued growth of the age-friendly movement worldwide.

So – in this end-of-year newsletter, we're celebrating by sharing some exciting updates that reflect the continued vibrancy, resilience and global reach of the age-friendly movement – and WHO's enduring commitment to fostering environments where everyone can thrive at every age.

Ready to learn more about the upcoming 3rd World Congress of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, new Global Network members, and recent developments from Affiliates leading innovative age-friendly actions around the world? Read on!

Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities – Secretariat
World Health Organization

Updates on the 3rd World Congress of Age-friendly Cities and Communities

Click the image to download it for sharing and posting on social media

Congress theme and committee leadership announced

What do you want to see from the Congress? Make your voice heard in our pre-conference survey

Stay updated and spread the world on the World Congress!

Staying subscribed to the Age-friendly World newsletter is one of the best ways to receive the latest news and updates on the World Congress. But to ensure you don't miss anything, make sure to:

Bookmark the Congress official website: https://www.3wcafcc.org

Follow the Congress on social media: X, Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn

You can also help us spread the world on the World Congress by posting about it on social media or sharing the news with your networks!

Member in Focus: São Paulo, Brazil

Age-friendly Practice in Focus: Pedalar Sem Idade Porto, Portugal

“Pedalar Sem Idade Porto” (“Cycling Without Age”) is an age-friendly initiative that brings joy, connection, and fresh air to older residents – one bike ride at a time through Porto’s streets and communities. 

Inspired by the global Cycling Without Age movement, trained volunteers use specially designed trishaws to offer free rides to older adults with reduced mobility, fostering intergenerational bonds and social inclusion. 

The experience combats isolation, reconnects participants with their city, and promotes well-being. Supported by Porto’s municipal services and local organisations, the project is a powerful example of age-friendly collaborative effort – rooted in generosity, stories, relationships, slow enjoyment, and ageless opportunities for community belonging.

Affiliates' Space

Share your age-friendly practices: Enhancing older people’s rights

On 3 April 2025, the UN Human Rights Council took a historic step by adopting a resolution to launch the process for drafting a UN convention on the human rights of older persons.

The protection and promotion of older persons’ rights aligns closely with the values of age-friendly cities and communities. What is your city or community doing to advance the rights of older people? AGE Platform Europe invites GNAFCC members to share inspiring examples by submitting a relevant practice to the Global Database of Age-friendly Practices.

Catch up on the online event: “Shaping the future together: Rights-based policy priorities for ageing societies in the UNECE region”  

The Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS) of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) of 2002 is currently being updated in the region of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Missed the online event organised by BAGSO, the German National Association of Senior Citizens' Organizations, on ideas about future priorities for rights-based ageing policies? Read the summary (full report upcoming) to learn more about how to contribute to the new RIS and the upcoming negotiations for a new UN convention on the rights of older persons.

IFA Hosts Age-Friendly Summit and Solution Session at the World Summit on Social Development (WSSD)

In September, IFA held the Age-Friendly Collaborative Summit and GNAFCC Affiliates meeting, alongside the 17th Global Conference. We enjoyed connecting and strategizing with affiliates. Thank you for your support! Stay tuned for the upcoming Summary Report.

In November, IFA also attended the WSSD to host a Solution Session on age-friendly communities and inclusive social development. IFA remains committed to ensuring older persons’ inclusion is central to the future of the 2030 Agenda.

Updates from the Network Secretariat

Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Take Centre Stage in New Zealand

Age-friendly cities and communities featured prominently at the 21st International Conference on Urban Health (17–21 November 2025), with a dedicated theme around Age-Friendly Environments and Wellbeing: Prioritizing Healthy Aging in Communities. Led by the Office for Seniors, our national affiliate for New Zealand, the one-day Designing Cities for Every Age – Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Symposium on 17 November in Wellington, New Zealand was also dedicated to exploring how cities can be designed to promote healthy ageing for all.

Promoting Age-Friendly Environments in Africa: WHO-AFRO Webinar Highlights GNAFCC and Gauteng Province’s Journey

On 14 October 2025, the WHO Regional Office for Africa hosted a live Healthy Ageing Webinar with Member States, which spotlighted the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC), its eight domains, and membership process.

Gauteng Province, South Africa, shared its journey toward joining the GNAFCC, showcasing inclusive efforts in transport, housing, health, and civic participation. The event emphasised the importance of fostering age-friendly environments that enhance the wellbeing and capabilities of older people across Africa.

Colombo Declaration Reaffirms Commitment to Age-Friendly Environments in South-East Asia

Member States of the WHO South-East Asia Region adopted the Colombo Declaration on Healthy Ageing through Strengthened Primary Health Care in October 2025. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive age-friendly environments, ensuring older people can live healthy, connected, and meaningful lives in their communities. It calls for multisectoral collaboration to improve housing, transport, social protection, and community infrastructure, while advancing digital inclusion and knowledge exchange across the Region.

Age-friendly World is a World Health Organization website dedicated to promoting age-friendliness around the world. The World Health Organization Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) is a global coalition of cities and communities committed to becoming more age-friendly. 

Submit your news on Age-friendly World or get in touch with us at gnafcc@who.int.