Jakarta, 12-14 June 2024: ERIA, in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and with generous technical support from the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), successfully organised the first Regional Consultative Meeting (RCM) on Promoting Active Ageing in Southeast Asia. The event was structured into two main sections: Trilateral Meetings and a comprehensive workshop.

The Trilateral Meetings provided a platform for one-on-one engagements between representatives from social welfare-related ministries of ASEAN Member States (AMS), OECD, and ERIA. These sessions allowed for tailored discussions on specific national contexts, challenges, and shared best practices related to ageing populations, including the economy and social security. The RCM on 13 June was the centrepiece of the event, bringing together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from AMS, expert researchers, and the ASEAN Secretariat, and served as a forum for broader and collective dialogue.

Dr Takuma Kato, Director of the Healthcare Unit of ERIA, welcomed the delegations and expressed ERIA's commitment to addressing the population ageing issue in the Southeast Asian region. He emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by an ageing society. ‘As Southeast Asia continues to experience demographic shifts, I believe that promoting active ageing is one of the key policies to support the quality of life of older people and also to mitigate the economic impact,’ he stated.

The session then began with keynote presentations from OECD economists Dr Hervé Bouhlol, Dr Wouter De Tavernier, and Andrew Reilly, who spoke on health-related work capacity and the informal sector amongst the elderly, gender inequality, and social protection in Southeast Asia.

The RCM featured a series of presentations, roundtable discussions, and interactive sessions focused on various aspects of active ageing, such as health and wellness, working life expectancy, gender inequality, economic participation, social protection, and inclusion. Keynote presentations from Prof. Yasuhiko Saito, ERIA Senior Research Fellow, and ERIA’s partner researchers from the region showed the estimated working life expectancy as an indicator of active ageing. In addition, ERIA Economists, Dr Wan Seok Chang and Dr Rashesh Shrestha presented their findings on economic gain estimation from increasing working life expectancy in Southeast Asia. The empirical results show that extended working life expectancy has a positive impact on income per capita from 2020 to 2040 in six ASEAN countries.

By addressing these crucial topics, the RCM stimulated the creation of actionable frameworks that can be adapted and implemented across diverse socio-economic contexts within the region. The strategies and policies discussed during the RCM are expected to guide future initiatives and actions, ensuring that the elderly in Southeast Asia can lead active, healthy, and fulfilling lives. The RCM not only facilitated knowledge exchange and capacity building but also fostered future partnerships that may drive long-term, impactful change in AMS. This collaborative endeavour between ERIA and OECD underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling global ageing issues.

 Summary and Recommendations: Regional Consultative Meeting on Promoting Active Ageing in Southeast Asia