Photo: Heidi Hakala
1. Opening session
Moderator: Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director, Division of Health Systems, WHO Regional Office for Europe
Welcoming participants to the conference, Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat outlined the event’s main themes. Age-friendliness is a broad concept. Strengthening social connections and reducing loneliness, urban planning, co-creation, and the impact of age-friendly communities were all aspects reflected in the conference programme – and top priorities for the World Health Organization.
– Age-friendly living is one of WHO’s top five priorities. It is everyone’s business; no single actor can do it alone.
Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat noted that an age-friendly environment is one in which getting older is a good thing. It is an environment without physical or social barriers, one that promotes a healthy and fulfilling life, enables the maintenance of lifelong physical and mental capacity, and recognises older adults as a resource.
– When we discuss good health at the WHO we mean physical, mental, and social well-being. We can’t focus solely on metabolic parameters; we need to see people as whole persons.
Azzopardi-Muscat also noted that the conference took place at a particularly important moment, as an increasing number of European countries and communities are recognising the need to create opportunities for their populations to age, physically, mentally and socially, in a healthy way. At the same time, she emphasised that much work remains to be done.
Although our region has one of the highest life expectancies worldwide, people can expect to spend roughly ten years of their approximately 80 years in poor health. This is not a desirable outcome, and we need to fix this.
Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director, Division of Health Systems, WHO Regional Office for Europe
Following her introduction, Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat facilitated a panel discussion in which the Danish Minister of Senior Citizens, Mette Kierkgaard, and Chitralekha Marie Massey, Chief of the Rights of Older Persons Section at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, participated.
Following her introduction, Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat facilitated a panel discussion in which the Danish Minister of Senior Citizens, Mette Kierkgaard, and Chitralekha Marie Massey, Chief of the Rights of Older Persons Section at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, participated.
Mette Kierkgaard, Danish Minister of Senior Citizens
Minister Mette Kierkgaard noted the changing demographics in Denmark and many other developed countries, shifting towards a growing proportion of older people. While longevity, in many ways, points to great success for our societies, it also requires attention, the minister noted.
In Denmark, there is both a Council and an Alliance for an age-friendly Denmark. The Council consists of 15 representatives with various backgrounds, tasked with forming a vision for an age-friendly Denmark and presenting it to the government.
In Denmark, there is both a Council and an Alliance for an age-friendly Denmark. The Council consists of 15 representatives with various backgrounds, tasked with forming a vision for an age-friendly Denmark and presenting it to the government.
The Alliance comprises many organisations, research institutions, and other actors in civil society who provide their insights to the Council. The Council will address a broad range of themes in alignment with WHO's age-friendly societies, which covers a wide range of themes, including transportation, urban design, architecture, loneliness, labour market participation, and digital exclusion.
Minister Kierkgaard underscored the importance of involving society at a broad scale.
– It is very important that this is not only planned by the government or discussed in the ministry departments. This is why we have formed an alliance from the bottom up, including architects and civil society. It is vital that age-friendly societies become a public movement.
It is vital that age-friendly societies become a public movement.
Mette Kierkgaard, Danish Minister of Senior Citizens
Denmark adopted a new Elder Care Law in the summer of 2025. The aim of the reform is to increase autonomy and self-determination in older adult care, to increase trust in local managers and employees and emphasise collaboration with civil society. Minister Kierkgaard emphasised that the implementation of the new law involves not only legal changes, but also a broader cultural shift.
Denmark adopted a new Elder Care Law in the summer of 2025. The aim of the reform is to increase autonomy and self-determination in older adult care, to increase trust in local managers and employees and emphasise collaboration with civil society. Minister Kierkgaard emphasised that the implementation of the new law involves not only legal changes, but also a broader cultural shift.
– The key value of the reforms is that elderly people receiving care are just as diverse as the rest of us, which is why we need flexibility in the care system. Until recently, our system has promoted poor practice in elderly care, emphasising centralisation, documentation, and rigid schedules.
Minister Kierkgaard also spoke about her visit to Norway and how she was greatly inspired by the work of the Centre for an Age-Friendly Norway.
Dr. Chitralekha Marie Massey, Chief, Rights of Older Persons Section, Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights
In 2025, 86 member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council agreed on the need for an international, legally binding UN convention on the rights of older persons.
– This is a historic decision, and a powerful call to action. At the same time, we must remember that ageing is not homogeneous. The challenge is to make this new, legally binding document meaningful to every person in the world, Chitralekha Marie Massey stated, adding that this presents a wonderful opportunity for Nordic leadership.
Chitralekha Marie Massey also highlighted the success of our societies in promoting long and healthy lives. At the same time, she observed that individuals tend to become less visible in public life after turning 65 and retiring.
We must change the narrative in our societies that ageing equals decline. Instead, we need to recognise ageing as a time of continuation, achievement, and contribution.
Dr. Chitralekha Marie Massey, Chief, Rights of Older Persons Section, Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights
Developing age-friendly communities depends on intergenerational solidarity, including the active participation of young people. Chitralekha Marie Massey encourages everyone to participate in the discussion about the upcoming UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
Developing age-friendly communities depends on intergenerational solidarity, including the active participation of young people. Chitralekha Marie Massey encourages everyone to participate in the discussion about the upcoming UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
– Everyone needs to think about what they want their own old age to be. We should view this as a period of investment, not only for ourselves but also for the five-year-old child today, who will be an older adult in the future. As we undertake this task, we need to ensure that younger people are equally involved. We are all in this together.
Chitralekha Marie Massey also underscored the need for better data; what we cannot count or measure, we do not act on.
Chitralekha Marie Massey also underscored the need for better data; what we cannot count or measure, we do not act on.
– Our lack of data on older people is a global problem today. No legislation or policy will be effective unless we improve our data collection.
