Aging, Urbanization, and the Right to Food

On November 13th, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) concludes its fifth yearlong "Mainstreaming Knowledge on Ageing" virtual roundtable series with a focus on older persons' access to health systems fin conflict areas. This annual event series, and co-sponsored by HPOD as part of a broad coalition of prominent civil society and intergovernmental organizations that includes UNDESA, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, and the World Health Organization, aims to raise awareness of how existing policies and systems may be strengthened to better protect the human rights of older persons, and hopefully, to add to growing momentum towards adoption of a new human rights treaty capable of addressing the far-reaching challenges posed by the world’s rapidly aging population.

By 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, the world's population
of people aged 60 years and older will double, while the number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple. In much of the world, the number of older persons will surpass that of younger persons by mid-century. 

This demographic shift portends a profound social transformation that challenges how societies organise resources, infrastructure, and rights. For example, rapidly aging populations will put pressure on older persons' access to adequate, nutritious, and affordable food. Many older persons face barriers that prevent them from enjoying this right fully, ranging from economic insecurity and rising food prices to physical or social limitations that restrict access to healthy meals. Alongside other factors like inadequate transportation and unsafe living conditions, limited access to affordable, nutritious food threatens to exacerbate malnutrition among older populations.

Increasing urbanization across the world further complicates this dynamic, as cities expand rapidly and resources become increasingly strained. While urban areas can offer better access to services, they often fail to meet the specific needs of older persons, especially those living on fixed incomes or in marginalized neighbourhoods. Thus, sustainable urban planning are needed to integrate age-friendly principles, ensuring that food systems, public spaces, and social services are inclusive and accessible to people of all ages. Building such environments benefits not only older residents but also creates more resilient and equitable cities for everyone.

Despite these trends, the present moment offers important opportunities for policymakers, communities, and families must work together to promote food justice and nutritional security for older persons. This means, for example,
supporting local food initiatives, ensuring access to social protection programmes, and recognising that adequate nutrition is vital to maintaining health, independence, and dignity in later life. After all, addressing the intersection of demographic change, urbanism, and the right to food is not just about caring for the elderly—it is about building societies that value and protect all stages of life.

Moderator

• Analucía Jácome, Senior Project Leader and Human Rights Expert, SDP, UNITAR

Panelists

• Dominique Burgeon, Director, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Liaison Office with the UN in Geneva
• Chitralekha Marie Massey, Chief of Section, Rights of Older Persons, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Silvia Perel-Levin, Independent consultant on ageing, health and human rights of older persons 
• Hezzy Smith, Director of Advocacy Initiatives, HPOD

Closing Remarks

• H.E. Amb. Luis Gallegos, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ecuador & Senior Advisor, HPOD