NARITA, JAPAN — The ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) solidified its role as a vital regional partner by actively participating in the 23rd ASEAN-Japan High-Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies (HLOM), held in Narita, Japan, from October 27-30, 2025. Co-organised by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), this high-level forum convened policymakers and experts to confront shared regional challenges in health, welfare, and active ageing.

On October 28, ACAI’s Executive Director, Dr. Somsak Akksilp, delivered a compelling keynote speech titled “Sustainable Support for Ageing Populations: Designing Tomorrow”. The address positioned ACAI as a central platform for regional collaboration, showcasing the Centre’s strategic vision and tangible progress on several key initiatives.

ACAI highlighted critical advancements demonstrating its commitment to translating policy into actionable frameworks:

• The development of the ASEAN Active Ageing Index (AAAI), a crucial tool designed to measure regional progress in active ageing.
• The overwhelming success of the 2025 Call for Research and Innovation, which attracted an impressive 277 proposals from across the ASEAN region.
• Pioneering pilot projects that are already underway, such as the Rayong Active Ageing Initiative and a Gamified Digital Platform aimed at promoting healthy habits among older populations.
• Ongoing efforts to shape a unified Regional Action Plan on Active Ageing through targeted workshops and capacity-building programs for Country Coordinators.

The meeting served as an important space for high-level dialogue, reinforcing the strong partnership between ASEAN and Japan. ACAI’s proactive involvement underscored its unwavering commitment to fostering a resilient and age-friendly future for the entire region.

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