[1][2] Five organisations from Canada, Colombia, Kenya, India and the United Kingdom set up HelpAge International in 1983 to provide a global network to support older people worldwide.

[3] HelpAge works for and with older people by: lobbying governments to achieve policy change, undertaking research programmes, and via community projects on the ground.

The organisation focuses on issues that affect older people worldwide, such as disaster risk reduction and climate change, rights, health, social protection, work, and COVID-19 vaccines.

HelpAge works with local partners to provide emergency relief, health care, and other support to older people affected by natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

The organisation engages in lobbying and advocacy efforts at the national and international level to raise awareness about the need for such a convention and to ensure that the rights and needs of older people are taken into account in the drafting process.