Founded in 1973, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the rights, wellbeing, and opportunities of older people worldwide.
The IFA brings together governments, non-profits, academic institutions, industry partners, and individuals from nearly 80 countries to influence policies and practices related to aging.
Operating with consultative status at the United Nations and formal relations with the World Health Organization, IFA engages in research, advocacy, capacity-building and knowledge exchange to advance inclusive aging. IFA’s work covers areas such as age-friendly environments, lifelong learning for older adults, workforce inclusion, healthy aging, and the intersection of aging with technology and social policy. Through conferences, publications, and collaborations, the organization supports a vision of “a world of healthy older people whose rights and choices are both protected and fulfilled.”
The IFA is a registered charity in Canada, with an international and democratically elected Board of Directors responsible for ensuring that the corporation meets legal requirements; that it operates in accordance with its mission and goals; and is soundly managed through the appointment of the chief executive, known as the Secretary General.
International Federation on Ageing. (n.d.). About the IFA. International Federation on Ageing. Retrieved October 29, 2025, from https://ifa.ngo/