UNHQ: The Age of Longevity – Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives | Event Recap
President Marcia Brewster; Vice President Nikolina Gelmanovski; Secretary Thellenza Krasniqi; Education Chair Mezaun Arnone; and YP Chair Angela Mathews all attended The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives on October 8, 2026, in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The event explored how increasing life expectancy is transforming healthcare, employment, education, housing and public policy.
Discussions focused on the opportunities of longer lives, emphasizing preventive healthcare, lifelong well-being, financial security, inclusive workplaces and integrated care. The central message was that longevity requires rethinking the systems that shape how people live, learn, work and thrive throughout their lives.
Featured Speakers
Arjanita Elezaj – Chair, UNIDOP 2026 Programme Sub-Committee
Haleh Nazeri – Lead, Longevity Economy, World Economic Forum
Emilio Umeoka – Stanford Center on Longevity Ambassador, Map of Life Initiative
Dr. Linda P. Fried – Dean Emerita, Columbia University School of Public Health
Dr. Olubusayo Akinola – Head of Social Welfare, African Union
Dr. Ronald Lee – Professor of Economics, University of California Berkeley
Masumi Ono – Chief of Service, Social Development Division, UN DESA
Briana Gilmore – Head of Global Accessibility Policy, Uber Technologies
H.E. Francisco Fabián Tropepi – Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN
H.E. Roberto Ampuero Espinoza – Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN
H.E. Abdulaziz M. AlWasil – Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN
Jonathan Perry – Social Affairs Officer, Social Development Division, UN DESA
William Smith – Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing in New York
Amal Abou Rafeh – Chief, Programme on Ageing, UN DESA
Chris Durrance – Filmmaker and Founder, Seven One Eight Studios
Linde Lee Jacobs – Registered Nurse and Co-Founder, Cure MAPT Dementia
The event underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building healthier, more inclusive communities and ensuring that longer lives translate into greater well-being and opportunity for all generations.
UNA-USA Westchester's participation reflects its commitment to engaging with global priorities and connecting United Nations dialogue with local civic engagement.
