Increasing lifespan and decreasing birthrates coupled with advancements in the field of medicine causes changes in demographic structures throughout the world. In the World Social Report published by the United Nations (UN) on 12 January 2023, it has been stated that the population aged 65 and over worldwide, which was 761 million in 2021, is estimated to more than double to 1.6 billion in 2050, and that the elderly persons should be at the center of attention for a sustainable future. 

In parallel to the global trends, the elderly population grows faster in relation to the other age groups in Türkiye too. While the population over the age of 65, which is accepted as the elderly population, was 7,186,204 people in 2018, it increased by 21.4% in the last five years and reached 8,722,806 people in 2023. While the ratio of the elderly population to the total population was 8.8% in 2018, it increased to 10.2% in 2023. According to population projections, it is predicted that the elderly population of Türkiye will be 12.9% in 2030, 22.6% in 2060 and 25.6% in 2080 (TurkStat, 2023).

Although old ages is the age of wisdom where the individual rediscovers themselves, it is also a period where they can experience vulnerabilities due to social, economic, and biological reasons. Ageism, neglect and abuse in society deepen these vulnerabilities and prevent the elderly from enjoying their basic human rights.

Phenomenon such as discriminatory attitudes toward older persons, neglect, and abuse make it necessary for old ages and problems of older persons to be examined in a multifaceted and rights-based way in the context of human rights.  Within this framework, it is imperative to take the necessary measures to ensure older persons' participate equally in all areas of social life starting with decision-making mechanisms, to have access to healthcare, care, and social services and to have other socio-economic conditions befitting human dignity.

In order for all the problems elderly persons experience to be resolved and to raise social awareness, UN General Assembly designated October 1 as "International Day of Older Persons" with a resolution dated 14 January 1990.

Our Institution, main mission of which is to protect the right to equal treatment of persons on the basis of human dignity and prevention of discrimination in exercising the legally acknowledged rights and freedoms, celebrates October 1, International Day of Older Persons, with the hope of adopting an International Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, which addresses the rights of older persons as a whole and sets forth the rights, powers, and responsibilities in this regard, and for a world where all kinds of prejudice and discrimination come to an end.

Respectfully announced to the public.