Over the past two days, the Belonging Forum joined global leaders at the United Nations in Geneva to discuss the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons.

We emphasized a simple but urgent truth: belonging is foundational to human rights.

Our #BelongingBarometer finds that one in three older people in the United Kingdom do not feel they belong in their local community. Social isolation at this scale reflects not only disconnection, but a failure to uphold dignity and inclusion in community life.

As work begins toward a new legally binding instrument, there is an historic opportunity to recognise social connectedness, dignity, and participation in community life as central to older persons’ rights.

This process must be shaped with older persons at the table, on every panel, in every delegation, and at every stage of drafting.

Because belonging is not an afterthought. It is a foundation.

Read the full statement.