PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – A significant workshop focused on empowering older persons in ASEAN recently concluded in Phnom Penh, organised by JCIE, ERIA, ASEAN Secretariat, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation of the Kingdom of Cambodia. For a day and a half on 21-22 May 2025, high-ranking officials from the Ministries of Social Affairs and international organisations across all ASEAN Member States gathered to discuss and strategize on how to better support their ageing populations. This important meeting underscored the region’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for its senior citizens.
The workshop kicked off with the introduction from the Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) on the ASEAN commitments in empowering older persons by 2025 and beyond. The SOMSWD Chair addressed the regional initiatives on empowerment of older persons, including the development of the SOMSWD Work Plan 2026-2030.
ACAI Head of Policy Advocacy, Dr. Kyaw Min Soe, presented on its strategies and current programs aiming at promoting active ageing across AMS, followed by the group discussions, delving into three critical areas. In the first session, three groups concentrated on ASEAN key challenges in accessing services and opportunities for active ageing, exploring practical ways to ensure older persons have easy access to essential healthcare, social protection, educational resources, and economic avenues. Another session focused on human resources enhancing services for older persons in ASEAN, examining how to strengthen the workforce that supports older persons, including training for caregivers, social workers, and community volunteers. The third discussion centered on non-human resources, covering vital elements like accessible infrastructure, suitable transportation, empowering technology, and robust legal frameworks to build truly age-friendly societies.
On the second day, the ACAI Plan and Policy Analyst, Dr. Man Vo, also joined a dynamic panel discussion together with UNFPA, WHO, and UNESCAP, exploring multi-sectoral and regional collaboration for addressing the complex needs of an ageing population in ASEAN. The discussion emphasised the vital importance of a holistic strategy, one that seamlessly weaves together social, economic, and health dimensions to create comprehensive support systems. This segment highlighted the necessity of cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.
During the workshop, ACAI engaged with representatives from other sectors and discussed collaboration potential from the Tsao Foundation Singapore, HelpAge Cambodia, WHO Western Pacific, SOMSWD representatives of AMS, and other partners like ERIA, UNFPA, and community-based organisations.
Ultimately, this workshop was a strong declaration of ASEAN’s dedication to fostering a people-centered community. Recommendations have been made to advance more practical actions, which promote collaboration, enhance awareness-raising initiatives, and promote active participation of older persons. ACAI contributed to refining the recommendations, incorporating key takeaways to be endorsed by SOMSWD for enhancing access and opportunities for older persons in ASEAN. Furthermore, organisations may focus on the intervention of financial security and resilience, as well as centering gender as a cross-cutting issue. Opportunities in digital technologies and strengthening support to families, caregivers, and community groups are also essential for improving access and providing better guidance for older persons to lead fulfilling lives, continue contributing their valuable wisdom, and remain integral members of society.
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