Issue 90 – 26, February 22, 2026
The Drafting of a UN Convention
GAROP stands for the “Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People”. It is an organization which CURC is a member, that works to protect the rights and improve the lives of older people everywhere. The founders wanted to make sure that governments and communities listen to older people and treat them fairly. Today, GAROP has more than 400 members from about 85 countries. These members include organizations and groups that care about older people's rights.
GAROP helps people and groups work with governments and organizations around the world. Our goal is to make a special set of rules through a UN Convention. This convention would clearly say what rights older people should have, like safety, health care, income security, and respect.
GAROP is led by a global Steering Group. Members of this group are elected by GAROP’s members.
The two co-chair leaders for GAROP are, Marta Hajek from Canada, she is the CEO of Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario. Marta works to protect older adults from abuse and ageism (discrimination based on age). She also helps organize efforts to make sure older people's rights are respected in Canada and around the world. The other is Rose Gahire from Rwanda, she is a health expert with over 35 years of experience. Rose works to improve healthcare and rights for older people in Africa. She is also involved in many committees and organizations that support health and rights in her region.
This week, GAROP participated in important meetings at the United Nations. These meetings help decide how countries can create laws and rules to protect older people. GAROP’s leaders, like Rose and Marta, shared ideas and proposed ways to make sure older people's voices are included in these decisions.
The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) meetings on February 18th and 19th, focused on making plans to protect the rights of older people around the world. Here is what happened during those days:
The meeting started with opening remarks from key officials. The group then elected a new Chairperson, Ambassador Carlos Mario Foradori from Argentina. He was chosen to lead the discussions. After that, everyone agreed on the agenda, which is a list of topics to talk about.
The day included a special panel called "Setting the Scene”, followed by a discussion with others. Rose Gahire from GAROP shared ideas about how older people need to be involved in creating new rules. Many countries showed strong support for making a treaty (a formal agreement) to protect older persons. Civil society groups also shared their opinions. They agreed that the focus should be on the core ideas and principles of the new treaty before working on the detailed text.
On the second day, there was a panel about what the new international rules should include to protect older persons. Unfortunately, no representatives of older persons' organizations were on this panel, which some groups noticed and mentioned. Different countries shared their views, with some supporting the idea of starting from basic principles that put older people at the center.
Later, the discussion moved to how the IGWG will work. Some countries, like China, Egypt, and Pakistan, asked questions about including NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in the process. Most countries agreed that the process should be open and clear. GAROP was happy to see that everyone supports focusing on the main ideas first. The UK government also praised GAROP for helping coordinate civil society groups.
The Chair ended the meeting on February 19th, saying they would plan the next steps soon.
Highlights of the Meeting
- Support from the UN and many countries showed that everyone wants to create a treaty to help older persons.
- GAROP’s representatives shared their ideas about how to make sure older people are involved.
- Most countries want to start by focusing on the main principles before working on the detailed rules.
- The meeting was productive, and everyone agreed to keep working together to protect the rights of older persons.
This meeting was an important step toward creating international rules that will help older people live with dignity and respect all over the world. The process has started! The drafting will begin soon!
Read more - IGWG1-Daily-Bulletin-DAY-ONE.
Read more - IGWG1-Daily-Bulletin-DAY-TWO.
Workers Fight Back in Argentina
In Argentina, many workers are in a general strike against their government. The president, Javier Milei wants to change many rules about jobs and social programs. He recently vetoed, or rejected, laws that would help retirees and people with disabilities. People who are retired or disabled have been protesting for months.
Since Milei became president in late 2023, he has refused to approve more government spending. He often uses the phrase “there is no money” to explain why he won’t increase benefits or subsidies. Last year, Milei made tough cuts to social programs, which helped lower inflation but made life harder for many Argentines. Unemployment went up, wages fell, and prices kept rising, making it tough for families to get by.
Milei’s government now wants to change labor laws to make it easier for companies to fire workers, work longer hours, and reduce benefits like paid leave. Critics say these changes will make it harder for workers to keep their jobs and get fair pay. They argue that these reforms go against Argentina’s laws and hurt democracy.
The government’s proposal includes several changes that could benefit employers but hurt workers. Some of these changes are:
- Making it harder to go on strike or hold protests.
- Making it easier for companies to fire workers.
- Allowing longer work hours from 8 to 12 hours a day.
- Cutting back on paid leave and working hours protections.
- Taking money away from social security, which helps pensioners and retirees.
This week a big strike was held in Buenos Aires, the capital, to show opposition. Workers shut down subways, buses, and even the national airline canceled hundreds of flights. Banks and schools also closed to support the protest.
The General Confederation of Labor (CGT) told people to protest everywhere, on the streets, in Congress, and at work. They say that if workers’ rights are attacked, it will hurt the future of Argentina.
Rafael Freire, leader of a big Latin American union, said the laws would push Argentina back to a time before workers had important rights. He and others believe that respecting workers’ rights is essential for a fair and strong society.
President Milei and his party say these changes are necessary to improve the economy. They argue that fewer rules will attract more foreign investment and make businesses more profitable.
While the government hopes the laws will pass, workers and unions are determined to fight to keep their rights. They say that protecting workers is not just about jobs but also about democracy and fairness, the outcome of this fight will decide whether workers in Argentina can keep the rights they have fought for years to gain.
Many international trade unions also support Argentine workers. They say that these new laws are a step backward and will make inequality worse. They believe that good jobs and fair rights are important for a strong economy and a fair society.
CPP Public Meetings
Public meetings to engage and ask questions about how the CPP Fund is working, are being held in Calgary and Edmonton this week. The meetings include a presentation on the Fund’s performance, governance, and an overview of our approach to investing. You must pre-register.
Calgary - Monday, February 23, 2026,
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
BMO Centre
(1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE
Calgary, AB T2G 2W1)
Edmonton - Wednesday, February 25, 2026
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Edmonton EXPO Centre
(7515 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 0J2)
Register - Public Meetings | CPP Investments