Tuesday 27 October 2026
16:15–17:30
Side event 1
HelpAge International and Renmin University
Advancing Research Collaboration for Ageing Societies: Priorities for the Future
The session will also examine how researchers, academic institutions and policymakers can work more effectively across disciplines and countries, strengthening the links between research and policy. Participants will hear ideas for future collaboration, including joint research, knowledge and data exchange, publications and capacity building, with the aim of generating stronger evidence for policies and solutions for ageing societies.
Key speakers
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Du Peng
Renmin University of China
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Sarah Harper
University of Oxford
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Chen Gong
Peking University
Side event 2
Tsao Foundation
Community for Successful Ageing: An Integrated Model for Ageing in Place
This side event will introduce Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA), Tsao Foundation’s integrated, community-based model for helping older people remain healthy, independent and connected while ageing in place. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in Whampoa, Singapore, participants will learn how health and social care, community development, caregiver support and social participation can be brought together through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.
Through practical cases and research findings, the session will explore how ComSA reduces fragmented care, empowers older people as active community members, and builds partnerships across government, healthcare and community organisations. Participants will also consider what is needed to adapt this model to different policy, funding and cultural contexts.
Key speakers
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Mary Ann Tsao
Tsao Foundation
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Paul Ong
Tsao Foundation
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Dawn Chan
Tsao Foundation
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Susana Harding
Tsao Foundation
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Chern Siang Jye
Agency for Integrated Care Singapore
Side event 3
HelpAge International and ADB
Resilient Futures: Older People’s Role in the Green Transition
This side event will explore why population ageing needs to be part of the climate agenda, shifting the focus from seeing older people primarily as vulnerable to recognising them as contributors, leaders and partners in climate action. Participants will learn how older people can contribute to early warning systems, community resilience, adaptation and low-carbon livelihoods.
Drawing on experiences from across Asia and the Pacific, the session will examine practical examples including age-inclusive early warning systems in China, approaches to a just green transition in Indonesia, and community-based biochar initiatives in Viet Nam. It will also explore how climate finance, social protection, local planning and green-jobs strategies can better enable older people to participate in and benefit from the green transition.
Key speakers
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Rhea Tariq
HelpAge International
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Hari Krishna Nibanupudi
HelpAge International
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Li Xin
Tianjin
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Dinar Kharisma
BAPPENAS Indonesia
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Thuy Bich Tran
VIOBA Viet Nam
Side event 4
UNFPA
Building an Inclusive Silver Economy – Country Experiences from Southeast Asia and China
This side event will explore what an inclusive silver economy looks like in practice and how it can enable older people to live healthy, active and productive lives. Rather than viewing older people primarily as consumers, the session will examine the policies and systems needed to support their participation, including health, employment, social protection and care.
Drawing on experiences from Thailand, Malaysia, Viet Nam, the Philippines and China, participants will learn how countries at different stages of population ageing are developing their silver economies, what approaches are working, and what challenges remain. The discussion will highlight practical lessons for moving from individual programmes towards more coherent and inclusive national approaches.
Key speakers
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Nikorn Soemklang
Thailand
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Che Kodir Bin Baharum
Malaysia
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Hannah Alpeche Giray-Carcido
Philippines
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Minh Huu Doan
UNFPA Viet Nam
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Moderator
Nadia Rasheed
UNFPA
Wednesday 28 October 2026
12:00–13:30
Side event 5
ADB
Connecting Experiences, Shaping Care – Part 1: East Asia and the Pacific Countries
This two-part ADB series will bring together country experiences from across Asia and the Pacific to explore different pathways towards building age-ready societies. Across both sessions, participants will learn how countries are turning ageing priorities into practical policies, programmes and investments, with a focus on care systems, workforce, financing, participation and innovation.
The first session will focus on experiences from China and Pacific Island countries, highlighting practical approaches to elderly care, health and community support. Participants will hear how different systems are responding to population ageing, including lessons from ADB-supported initiatives, and consider which approaches and innovations could be adapted in other contexts.
Key speakers
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Yang Qingshan
China
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Liu Gang
China
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Nilesh Venkateshwaran Goundar
Fiji
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Taotasiatoa Peter Fetaui
Niue
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Grace Abigail Chynoweth
Cook Islands
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Manu Piuni Manuofetoa
Tonga
Side event 6
Zhejiang Practice
Details will be available soon.
Side event 7
Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia
Ageing in Place, Thriving in Community: Community-Based Integrated Services for Older Persons
This side event will explore how integrated, community-based services can enable older people to remain independent, active and connected while ageing in their own homes and communities. Participants will learn about approaches that bring together health and care services, families, communities, local government and civil society to overcome fragmented services and provide more person-centred support.
Drawing on Indonesia’s experience and examples from across the region, the session will examine practical models for integrated care, community mobilisation and intergenerational support. It will also address sustainable financing, governance and policy measures needed to strengthen and scale community-based services and make ageing in place a reality.
Key speakers
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Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas)
Indonesia
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Professor Du Peng
Renmin University of China
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Emiko Masaki
ADB
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Professor Prasert Assantachai
Mahidol University, Thailand
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Thuy Bich Tran
VIOBA
Side event 8
China Ageing Development Foundation
Details will be available soon.
Thursday 29 October 2026
11:00–12:30
Side event 9
Alliance on Longevity in Asia-Pacific (ALAP)
ALAP Workshop: From Community Voices to Policy Action
This interactive workshop will show participants how the lived experiences and priorities of older people and their communities can be translated into evidence and advocacy for ageing policy. With the Fifth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) approaching in 2027, the session focuses on strengthening community participation in policy review processes.
Rather than a traditional presentation, participants will take part in hands-on activities using the Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) and SALT approach. They will learn practical techniques for community mapping, intergenerational dialogue and turning community insights into advocacy messages aligned with MIPAA priorities.
Key facilitators
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Preeti Wasnik
Tsao Foundation
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Susana Harding
Tsao Foundation
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Sanju Thapa Magar
Ageing Nepal
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Leena Chauhan
GRAVIS
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Tran Bich Thuy
VIOBA
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Vira Thum
HelpAge Cambodia
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Hein Thet Ssoe
Age Myanmar
Side event 10
Happy Ageing, Better in Zhejiang – Active Ageing Practices for Common Prosperity
Details will be available soon.
Side event 11
ADB
Connecting Experiences, Shaping Care – Part 2: Central West, South, and Southeast Asia
The second session will draw on experiences from Central, West, South and Southeast Asia, examining how countries with different demographic, economic and institutional contexts are preparing for ageing. Participants will learn about different policy and investment approaches and explore shared challenges and practical lessons for strengthening care, social protection, inclusion and other systems needed for age-ready societies.
Key speakers
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Irine Tsakadze
Georgia
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Betül Tamkoç
Türkiye
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Dwi Rahayuningsih
Indonesia
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Nusrat Feroz Aman
Bangladesh
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Kottage Chathura Mihidum
Sri Lanka
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Fan Ruze
China
Side event 12
African Union Commission / CNCA / HelpAge International / Government of Ethiopia / UNFPA
Africa-Asia Dialogue on Population Ageing, Demographic Change and Inclusive Development
This high-level dialogue will explore what Africa and Asia can learn from each other as they respond to population ageing at different stages of demographic transition. Participants will gain insights into how better use of population data and evidence can help governments anticipate demographic change and prepare health, care, social protection and community systems for the future.
The session will highlight complementary experiences from both regions and identify practical opportunities for South-South cooperation, including healthy ageing and care, social protection, age-friendly communities, digital inclusion, climate resilience and intergenerational approaches. Importantly, the discussion will focus on adapting and developing solutions together rather than simply transferring models between regions.
Key speakers
Senior representatives from:
- African Union Commission
- Government of Ethiopia
- China National Committee on Ageing (CNCA)
- UNFPA
- HelpAge International
The dialogue will be moderated by
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Cherian Mathews
CEO, HelpAge International
