A/HRC/26/46 61. Erica Dhar, Senior Advisor for the AARP Office of International Affairs, described the development and work of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People. The Alliance had been created to strengthen the rights and voices of older persons on a global scale. It represented the collaborative efforts of numerous organizations and advocated for a legally binding instrument to consolidate the rights of older persons in one instrument. It also coordinated advocacy efforts and educated older persons on their rights. The Alliance engaged with the Working Group and other relevant mechanisms to ensure that older persons’ issues were addressed in the post-2015 development agenda, including the sustainable development agenda. 62. In the ensuing dialogue, representatives of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the Conference of NGOs, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, the Ligue Marocaine, the Uganda Reach the Aged Association, ADI, Argentina, AIDE-Fédération, and International-Lawyers.Org considered ways to promote the human rights of older persons within the human rights system, including through the creation of a new instrument and engagement with existing mechanisms such as the Independent Expert and the universal periodic review. Speakers raised issues such as improving advocacy efforts on behalf of older persons, promoting evidence-based policymaking, establishing intergenerational solidarity, increasing the participation of older persons in relevant international forums, and addressing the impacts of conflict and climate change on the rights of older persons. Concerns were expressed regarding the necessity for action in Asia because of its rapidly ageing population. The need for more discussion between civil society organizations and States was emphasized. The Working Group was viewed as a potential platform for that engagement. 63. In her concluding remarks, Ms. Dhar noted that AARP was concerned about the effect of climate change on older persons and provided support through its Foundation for older persons affected by natural disasters. She welcomed the participation of youth to establish intergenerational solidarity, as on International Older Persons’ Day and highlighted the role of civil society as a champion of older persons’ rights. She observed that, increasingly, Member States were taking up that cause and encouraged States and NGOs to work together and across regions to build consensus. Mr. Ghezraoui stressed that there would be discussion on the human rights of older persons, prompted by the annual thematic report of the new mandate-holder and relevant country visits at each September session of the Human Rights Council. That offered the opportunity to raise specific issues, such as discriminatory practices, detected at the national level. Ms. Lane emphasized the need to improve the visibility of older persons’ issues and the significant role that civil society must play in that regard. She described progress in some United Nations intergovernmental bodies through the intervention of Member States, for example on the situation of older women, and noted that most of the changes were fostered by pressure from civil society organizations. K. Final observations from participants 64. At the conclusion of the 2014 Social Forum, the Chairperson-Rapporteur opened the floor for any final interventions from participants. 65. Ms. Sleap from HelpAge International delivered a joint final statement on behalf of a majority of the participating civil society organizations. The organizations emphasized the importance of addressing all forms of discrimination against older persons and improving the collection and analysis of data regarding their experiences. They highlighted that the 2014 Social Forum had reaffirmed the need for a new convention on the rights of older persons to address existing gaps in the human rights framework and rejected economic arguments for not protecting these rights. They 17