Kuala Lumpur, 20 October 2026: ERIA highlighted key trends in long-term care (LTC) across ASEAN and their implications for policy and practice at the ASEAN-wide Research Networking on Ageing (ARNA) Summit 2026, held as part of the National Conference on Ageing (NCA) 2026 at the KLGCC Convention Centre. Initiated under the Work Plan of the Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), ARNA provides a platform for regional research collaboration, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange on ageing across Southeast Asia.

The Summit brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine key ageing-related challenges facing the region. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and research on active ageing, addressing future long-term care needs, advancing a rights-based approach to ageing, and bridging research, policy, and practice to support more inclusive, resilient, and age-friendly societies across ASEAN.

As part of the Summit, ERIA participated in the panel session ‘From Today to Tomorrow: Shared Realities for a Future-ready ASEAN’. Dr Liem Nguyen, Programme Manager for Social Welfare at ERIA, presented evidence from ERIA’s research and regional data analysis on evolving LTC trends and emerging care challenges across ASEAN. He also shared lessons from Japan’s Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) system and Community-Based Integrated Care (CBIC) model, discussing how ERIA is drawing on these experiences to support the development of care systems across the region.

Dr Nguyen emphasised the need for ASEAN to develop a dedicated regional LTC framework, strengthen its care workforce, address the growing number of older persons living alone, support ageing in place, and respond to the vulnerabilities and double care burden often faced by older women. He also highlighted ERIA’s efforts to translate research findings into actionable policies, programmes, and regional initiatives that promote the well-being and dignity of older persons across ASEAN.