Plenary

Tuesday 27 October 2026

09:00–14:15
09:00–10:00

Opening Remarks

Moderator

  • Jiang WeiPresident, China National Committee on Ageing (CNCA)

Speakers (in order of appearance)

  1. Video Address byLi ChangguanMinister of Civil Affairs, the People’s Republic of China
  2. Cherian MathewsCEO, HelpAge International
  3. High-level official of Zhejiang Provincial Government
  4. Julia BuntingDirector of Programmes, UNFPA
  5. Yang LinDeputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP
  6. Sun ShuopengVice Minister of Ministry of Civil Affairs, People's Republic of China
10:00–10:10

Framing the Conference

This opening session will set the scene for the days ahead—introducing the key themes, connecting the different elements of the programme, and inviting participants to exchange experiences, build new connections and contribute to shaping the future of ageing in the region.

Speaker

  • Eduardo KlienAsia-Pacific Regional Convening LeadHelpAge International
10:30–12:00

High-level Panel

This high-level panel will explore how governments and societies can turn longer lives into opportunities for economic and social development, rather than viewing population ageing simply as a challenge. The discussion will examine how longer lives are reshaping work, productivity, health and care, social protection and intergenerational relationships, alongside the growing role of technology and AI.

Moderated by renowned specialists in population ageing and development policy, the dialogue will bring together senior government leaders and leading voices on ageing and longevity from across Asia and the Pacific. Together, they will explore how societies can enable people to remain healthy, productive and engaged throughout longer lives, while ensuring that the opportunities of longevity are shared fairly across generations.

Moderators

  • Du PengDean, School of Population and HealthRenmin University of China
  • Sofia ShakilDirector, Human and Social DevelopmentAsian Development Bank (ADB)

Panellists

  • Alexandre SidorenkoVice Chair of the Board of TrusteesHelpAge International
  • Grace Abigail ChynowethSecretaryMinistry of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands
  • Jiang WeiPresidentChina National Committee on Ageing (CNCA)
  • Julia BuntingDirector, Programme DivisionUNFPA
  • MalikiDeputy Minister for Community Empowerment, Population and ManpowerMinistry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), Indonesia
  • Mary Ann TsaoChairperson and Founding DirectorTsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Md. Zonayed Abdur Rahim SakiState Minister of PlanningBangladesh
  • Seyed Javad HosseiniDeputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare and Head of State Welfare OrganizationIran
13:45–14:15

Introductory Lecture on Silver Economy

Speaker

  • Philip O'KeefeProfessor of Practice, Centre for Population Ageing Research (CEPAR)University of New South Wales, Australia
13:45–14:15

Introductory Lecture on Longevity Society

Speaker

  • Wu YushaoPresident of China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service, Vice Dean and Professor of the Fudan Institute on AgeingFudan University, China

Wednesday 28 October 2026

15:30–17:30
15:30–17:30

China Forum

Opening Remarks

Moderator

  • Dai Yahan, Phoenix TV

Speakers

  • Sun Shuopeng, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China
  • Representative from Relevant Departments of the National Health Commission (NHC)
  • Huang Shengwei, Director-General of the Department of Ageing Work, Ministry of Civil Affairs
  • Liu Zhenzhong, Deputy Secretary-General of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges

Sharing China’s Approaches

Moderator

  • Hu Zhan, Professor, Fudan University

Case Studies

  • Jia Wei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shanghai Open University, China
  • Gao Shuzhen, President of the Sanjianxi Village Senior Citizens Association, China
  • Xie Xiaojun, President of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee on Ageing, China
  • Age‑friendly renovation, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, China

Thursday 29 October 2026

13:30–17:05
13:30–15:00

International Sharing Forum

Population ageing is a global transformation, with countries experiencing demographic change at different stages and in different ways. This session broadens the conversation beyond Asia and the Pacific, bringing perspectives from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and other regions. Through two interconnected panels, participants will explore diverse responses to ageing, share policies and innovations, and reflect on lessons emerging from the conference. The discussion will also look ahead to how cross-regional learning, knowledge exchange and cooperation can help build healthier, more inclusive societies for people of all ages.

Moderator

  • Cherian Mathews

Panellists

  • César GarcíaSilver Economy Specialist IFC World BankAVU I.A.P., Mexico
  • Cheryl SawyerChief, Population Trends and Analysis Branch, Population DivisionUnited Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
  • Irine TsakadzeDeputy MinisterMinistry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Georgia
  • Lin JialeiDeputy Head of the East Asia Regional DelegationThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • Milad PournikAssociate Social Affairs OfficerUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
  • Tesfaye Robale SidaChief Executive Officer for Elders and Family AffairsMinistry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA), Ethiopia

Moderator

  • Sabine HenningChief, Sustainable Demographic Transition Section, Social Development DivisionUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Panellists

  • Amma Adomaa Twum-AmoahCommissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social DevelopmentAfrican Union Commission
  • Li BanghuaDirector-General, Department of Elderly Care ServicesMinistry of Civil Affairs, China
  • Nilesh GoundarCEONational Council for Older Persons, Fiji
  • Prakash TyagiExecutive DirectorGramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS), India
  • Raúl Luis Holz CárcamoSenior ResearcherUN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
  • Tengku Aizan HamidChairman, Board of DirectorPrivate Pension Administrator, Malaysia
  • Zeenaz AdnanMinister of StateMinistry of Health, Family and Welfare, Maldives
15:30–16:15

Summary and Conclusions

Moderator

  • Eduardo KlienAsia-Pacific Regional Convening LeadHelpAge International

Speakers

  • Moon Jeong ChoiEndowed Chair ProfessorKorea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Republic of Korea
  • Philip O'KeefeProfessor of Practice, Centre for Population Ageing Research (CEPAR)University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Quyen TranSenior AdvisorVietnam Organisation for Better Ageing (VIOBA)
  • Zhang WenjuanProfessorRenmin University, China

Remarks

  • Eduardo KlienAsia-Pacific Regional Convening LeadHelpAge International
16:20–17:05

Closing Ceremony and Remarks

Moderator

  • Dai YahanPhoenix TV

Speakers (in order of appearance)

  1. Jiang WeiPresident, China National Committee on Ageing (CNCA)
  2. Cherian MathewsCEO, HelpAge International
  3. Representative from UNFPA
  4. Huan JinyuanVice Mayor of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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