Why Ageing Matters Now
Across Asia and the Pacific, population ageing is no longer a future challenge. It is already reshaping labour markets, health and care systems, cities, pension schemes and patterns of economic growth. The pace and scale of this demographic shift are unlike anything seen before, and the policy choices made now will shape societies for decades to come.
As an agenda-setter for ageing policy, this forum connects regional priorities with global frameworks, including the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, the Sustainable Development Goals and commitments to Universal Health Coverage. Through its global footprint and long-standing role shaping policy on ageing, HelpAge helps convene diverse voices and translate lessons from across countries into practical policy direction.
A regional conversation with global relevance
Asia is at the forefront of global population ageing. What happens here is influencing how the rest of the world understands and responds to longer lives.
This year's forum focuses on how societies can adapt social and economic systems to the reality of population ageing — moving beyond short-term or sector-by-sector responses. Rather than treating ageing as a standalone issue, the conference frames it as a whole-of-society transformation. Discussions will explore how integrated policies, innovation and sustainable approaches can support inclusive development and wellbeing across the life course.
The questions shaping ageing societies
The conference is organised around a set of policy and system-level questions that will shape ageing societies over the next decade:
- How can labour markets, pension systems and economies adapt to longer lives?
- What role can technology and artificial intelligence play — and where are the risks?
- How can sustainable, equitable long-term care systems be built at scale?
- What does it take to create age-friendly societies in both urban and rural settings?
These themes are reflected in the conference sub-themes on the silver economy, technology and AI, sustainable caring societies, and age-friendly environments.
Why China Matters for Learning
A distinctive feature of the 2026 conference is the opportunity to examine how China is responding to rapid population ageing at unprecedented scale, and what that means for policy choices across the region.
China’s demographic transition is unfolding at extraordinary speed and scale, with 216.8 million people aged 65 or above (around 15% of the population), projected to rise to 400 million by 2050.
Who the Conference Is For
The conference is designed for people working at the intersection of policy, practice and evidence on population ageing, and will bring together a diverse delegation from across Asia-Pacific and beyond. This includes:
- Policymakers working at regional, national and sub-national levels
- Researchers and academics
- Civil society leaders and practitioners
- Private sector leaders and innovators (including health, care, technology, finance and insurance)
- UN agencies and development partners
This event offers a space for engagement and exchange of ideas for those working on ageing, social protection, care, health systems, urban development, labour markets and inequality.
What you will gain by attending
- Access to senior policy influencers, technical leaders and ministers shaping ageing, health and social protection agendas.
- An opportunity to shape regional policy direction by contributing to agenda-setting discussions.
- Exposure to cutting-edge practice, innovation and the latest evidence from across the region and globally.
- Opportunities to build partnerships, coalitions and collaborations across governments, UN agencies, civil society, academia and the private sector.