The 2022 HLPF was held under the auspices of United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) at the General Assembly Hall United Nations Headquarters in New York from 5 July to 7 July, and from 11 July to 15 July 2022. The President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Collen Kelapile attended the event and delivered opening remarks to announce the opening of the HLPF, he asserted that “The current challenges must not dampen our resolve and determination, and that we must not give up but remain hopeful and optimistic. ” The theme of the HLPF in 2022 is Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The World Eco-Design Conference (WEDC) was invited by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) to participate in the virtual HLPF side event on "Older women in crises: Invisible among the most vulnerable". This side event aims to explore the experiences of older women in emergencies, be due to climate change or conflict, which are often overlooked by humanitarian actors, with negative consequences for the wellbeing of older women, their families and their communities.

The global older population in 2022 has surpassed 700 million, and as one of the main vulnerable groups, the rights and interests of older women need to be improved. Compared with other social groups, the vulnerability of older women is doubled because of their age and gender, which could be mainly reflected by several terms: They get less social security, and they are more possibly trapped in poverty; They are in poorer health condition, and they have less access to health resources; Their status is lower in both society and family, and their rights and interests are more easily be violated. Moreover, older women are less to attract social attention, and most older women have low income or no direct economic income, which led most of them to lack the capacity of resisting risks.

To facilitate the sustainable development for the society, the WEDC will incorporate science, technology and innovation with the development of human ecology, carry out cross-age and barrier-free design targeting the older women group, so as to improve their social status and life quality, bridging the digital divide across the development of the age, support them to better integrate with the community living, and enjoy the convenience and benefits brought by design.