On behalf of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and North-West University (NWU), it is with great pleasure that we extend a warm welcome to you to the 17th IFA Global Conference, hosted in partnership with a range of stakeholders here in Cape Town. As one of the 26 public higher-education institutions in South Africa, NWU stands at the forefront of innovation and excellence in higher learning. We are committed to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and engaging with our communities.