BANGKOK, Thailand — ACAI hosted a special session to finalise the ASEAN Regional Action Plan (RAP) on Active Ageing. The event, titled “From Evidence to Action: Advancing Regional Strategies for Active Ageing,” brought together country coordinators and experts to transform research into actionable policy across ASEAN Member States.
With one in seven ASEAN citizens expected to be over 60 by 2030, the region is facing an unprecedented demographic transition. Under ACAI’s 5-year Strategic Plan, member states have committed to building stronger data monitoring systems and regional cooperation to ensure older adults can live with dignity and security.
“Our work is anchored in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045,” said Dr. Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Alternate Chair of the ACAI Governing Board. “We expect older persons to be healthier, more secure, more connected, and more empowered to contribute to a truly people-centered ASEAN”.
A central highlight of the session was the presentation of the ASEAN Active Ageing Index (AAAI). This new tool, developed with advisory support from Japan’s National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS), consists of 62 indicators across six domains, including (1) Policy & Statistics, (2) Income & Livelihood Security, (3) Health & Quality of Life, (4) Social Capital, (5) Capacity & Enabling Environment, and (6) Digital Inclusion. The AAAI will allow member states to measure progress and identify policy gaps tailored specifically to the socio-economic and cultural landscape of Southeast Asia.
The meeting featured a scoping review presented by the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), which mapped the ASEAN policy landscape against global themes. Participants engaged in intensive group work focused on the four key pillars of the RAP:
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Health and Well-Being: Addressing the physical and mental health needs of an ageing population.
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Economic and Financial Security: Promoting income security and inclusive employment.
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Social Participation and Inclusion: Ensuring older adults remain active contributors to their communities.
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Age-Friendly Environments: Creating safe, accessible, and supportive urban and rural spaces.
The development of the RAP has been a year-long collaborative journey, supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada. Following this peer review session, the plan will undergo final refinement before its official adoption.
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