Side Events

Twelve partner-led sessions running alongside the main conference programme

Tuesday 27 October 2026

16:15–17:30
Side event 1 HelpAge International and Renmin University

Advancing Research Collaboration for Ageing Societies: Priorities for the Future

The session will also examine how researchers, academic institutions and policymakers can work more effectively across disciplines and countries, strengthening the links between research and policy. Participants will hear ideas for future collaboration, including joint research, knowledge and data exchange, publications and capacity building, with the aim of generating stronger evidence for policies and solutions for ageing societies.

Key speakers

  • Du Peng Dean, School of Population and Health Renmin University of China
  • Sarah Harper Director and Clore Professor of Gerontology University of Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Stuart Gietel-Basten Associate Dean, School of Humanities & Social Science Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
Side event 2 Tsao Foundation

Community for Successful Ageing: An Integrated Model for Ageing in Place

This side event will introduce Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA), Tsao Foundation’s integrated, community-based model for helping older people remain healthy, independent and connected while ageing in place. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in Whampoa, Singapore, participants will learn how health and social care, community development, caregiver support and social participation can be brought together through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.

Through practical cases and research findings, the session will explore how ComSA reduces fragmented care, empowers older people as active community members, and builds partnerships across government, healthcare and community organisations. Participants will also consider what is needed to adapt this model to different policy, funding and cultural contexts.

Key speakers

  • Mary Ann Tsao Chairperson Tsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Paul Ong Deputy CEO & Chief Strategy Officer Tsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Dawn Chan Assistant Director, Community Development Tsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Susana Harding Senior Director, International Longevity Centre Singapore Tsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Chern Siang Jye Assistant Chief Executive Officer Agency for Integrated Care, Singapore
Side event 3 HelpAge International and ADB

Resilient Futures: Older People’s Role in the Green Transition

This side event will explore why population ageing needs to be part of the climate agenda, shifting the focus from seeing older people primarily as vulnerable to recognising them as contributors, leaders and partners in climate action. Participants will learn how older people can contribute to early warning systems, community resilience, adaptation and low-carbon livelihoods.

Drawing on experiences from across Asia and the Pacific, the session will examine practical examples including age-inclusive early warning systems in China, approaches to a just green transition in Indonesia, and community-based biochar initiatives in Viet Nam. It will also explore how climate finance, social protection, local planning and green-jobs strategies can better enable older people to participate in and benefit from the green transition.

Key speakers

  • Rhea Tariq Global Impact Director HelpAge International
  • Hari Krishna Nibanupudi Climate Change Adviser HelpAge International
  • Li Xin Director, Department of Neurology and Geriatrics; Director, Tianjin Health Meteorology Interdisciplinary Innovation Centre China
  • Dinar Dana Kharisma Director for Social and Economic Independence Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), Indonesia
  • Thuy Bich Tran Country Director, HelpAge International in Viet Nam Executive Director, Vietnam Organisation for Better Ageing (VIOBA)
Side event 4 UNFPA

Building an Inclusive Silver Economy – Country Experiences from Southeast Asia and China

This side event will explore what an inclusive silver economy looks like in practice and how it can enable older people to live healthy, active and productive lives. Rather than viewing older people primarily as consumers, the session will examine the policies and systems needed to support their participation, including health, employment, social protection and care.

Drawing on experiences from Thailand, Malaysia, Viet Nam, the Philippines and China, participants will learn how countries at different stages of population ageing are developing their silver economies, what approaches are working, and what challenges remain. The discussion will highlight practical lessons for moving from individual programmes towards more coherent and inclusive national approaches.

Key speakers

  • Che Kodir Bin Baharum Director, Social Services Division Ministry of Economy, Malaysia
  • Nikorn Soemklang Minister of Social Development and Human Security Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand
  • Minh Huu Doan Programme Analyst, Inclusive Growth and Social Protection UNFPA Viet Nam
  • Moderator Nadia Rasheed UNFPA Representative to China and Country Director for Mongolia UNFPA

Wednesday 28 October 2026

12:00–13:30
Side event 5 ADB

Connecting Experiences, Shaping Care – Part 1: East Asia and the Pacific Countries

This two-part ADB series will bring together country experiences from across Asia and the Pacific to explore different pathways towards building age-ready societies. Across both sessions, participants will learn how countries are turning ageing priorities into practical policies, programmes and investments, with a focus on care systems, workforce, financing, participation and innovation.

The first session will focus on experiences from China and Pacific Island countries, highlighting practical approaches to elderly care, health and community support. Participants will hear how different systems are responding to population ageing, including lessons from ADB-supported initiatives, and consider which approaches and innovations could be adapted in other contexts.

Key speakers

  • Yang Qingshan Director Yichang Civil Affairs Bureau, Hubei, China
  • Liu Gang Deputy General Manager Hanjiang State-owned Capital Investment Group Co., Ltd. (HJGT), China
  • Nilesh Goundar Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Older Persons Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection, Fiji
  • Taotasiatoa Peter Fetaui Health Service Manager, Niue Foou Hospital – Health Department Ministry of Social Services, Niue
  • Grace Abigail Chynoweth Secretary Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands
  • Manu Piuni Manuofetoa Head of Project Management Unit Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tonga
Side event 6

Zhejiang Practice

Details will be available soon.

Side event 7 Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia

Ageing in Place, Thriving in Community: Community-Based Integrated Services for Older Persons

This side event will explore how integrated, community-based services can enable older people to remain independent, active and connected while ageing in their own homes and communities. Participants will learn about approaches that bring together health and care services, families, communities, local government and civil society to overcome fragmented services and provide more person-centred support.

Drawing on Indonesia’s experience and examples from across the region, the session will examine practical models for integrated care, community mobilisation and intergenerational support. It will also address sustainable financing, governance and policy measures needed to strengthen and scale community-based services and make ageing in place a reality.

Key speakers

  • Du Peng Dean, School of Population and Health Renmin University of China
  • Najibullah Habib Principal Health Specialist Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Prasert Assantachai Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, Thailand
  • Thuy Bich Tran Country Director, HelpAge International in Viet Nam Executive Director, Vietnam Organisation for Better Ageing (VIOBA)
Side event 8

China Ageing Development Foundation

Details will be available soon.

Thursday 29 October 2026

11:00–12:30
Side event 9 Alliance on Longevity in Asia-Pacific (ALAP)

ALAP Workshop: From Community Voices to Policy Action

This interactive workshop will show participants how the lived experiences and priorities of older people and their communities can be translated into evidence and advocacy for ageing policy. With the Fifth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) approaching in 2027, the session focuses on strengthening community participation in policy review processes.

Rather than a traditional presentation, participants will take part in hands-on activities using the Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) and SALT approach. They will learn practical techniques for community mapping, intergenerational dialogue and turning community insights into advocacy messages aligned with MIPAA priorities.

Key facilitators

  • Preeti Wasnik Research Project Manager, International Longevity Centre Singapore Tsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Susana Harding Senior Director, International Longevity Centre Singapore Tsao Foundation, Singapore
  • Sanju Thapa Magar Executive Director Ageing Nepal
  • Leena Chauhan Programme Coordinator GRAVIS, India
  • Thuy Bich Tran Country Director, HelpAge International in Viet Nam Executive Director, Vietnam Organisation for Better Ageing (VIOBA)
  • Vira Tum Executive Director HelpAge Cambodia
  • Hein Thet Ssoe CEO AGE Myanmar
Side event 10

Happy Ageing, Better in Zhejiang – Active Ageing Practices for Common Prosperity

Details will be available soon.

Side event 11 ADB

Connecting Experiences, Shaping Care – Part 2: Central West, South, and Southeast Asia

The second session will draw on experiences from Central, West, South and Southeast Asia, examining how countries with different demographic, economic and institutional contexts are preparing for ageing. Participants will learn about different policy and investment approaches and explore shared challenges and practical lessons for strengthening care, social protection, inclusion and other systems needed for age-ready societies.

Key speakers

  • Irine Tsakadze Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs Georgia
  • Betül Tamkoç Head of Department, Directorate General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons Ministry of Family and Social Services, Turkiye
  • Dwi Rahayuningsih Directorate of Poverty Reduction and Social Welfare Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), Indonesia
  • Nusrat Feroz Aman Chief Executive Officer AYAT Education, Bangladesh
  • Kottage Chathura Mihidum Director, National Secretariat for Elders Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Sri Lanka
  • Fan Ruze Deputy Director Nanning Civil Affairs Bureau, Demonstration of Guangxi Elderly Care and Health Care Integration and Public–Private Partnership, China
Side event 12 African Union Commission / CNCA / HelpAge International / Government of Ethiopia / UNFPA

Africa-Asia Dialogue on Population Ageing, Demographic Change and Inclusive Development

This high-level dialogue will explore what Africa and Asia can learn from each other as they respond to population ageing at different stages of demographic transition. Participants will gain insights into how better use of population data and evidence can help governments anticipate demographic change and prepare health, care, social protection and community systems for the future.

The session will highlight complementary experiences from both regions and identify practical opportunities for South-South cooperation, including healthy ageing and care, social protection, age-friendly communities, digital inclusion, climate resilience and intergenerational approaches. Importantly, the discussion will focus on adapting and developing solutions together rather than simply transferring models between regions.

Key speakers

Senior representatives from:

  • African Union Commission
  • Government of Ethiopia
  • China National Committee on Ageing (CNCA)
  • UNFPA
  • HelpAge International

The dialogue will be moderated by

  • Cherian Mathews CEO, HelpAge International
Side event details are subject to change
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