The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is organizing an expert group meeting on population ageing trends, implications, policies and a way forward in Bangkok, Thailand, from 25 June (afternoon) to 27 June 2025 (afternoon).  

Population ageing is a global and regional megatrend, and with 60 per cent of all older persons in the world (60 years or over) residing in Asia and the Pacific, the region is at the forefront of these trends.  

These demographic shifts present challenges and opportunities that require forward-looking policies to prepare for and adjust to the social and economic implications of ageing societies, as well as to mainstream ageing into policies, plans and programmes, as appropriate.  

Objectives 

This in-person meeting is being held to provide technical cooperation support to member States and non-governmental organizations on ageing and enhance cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, to promote ageing issues and develop partnerships in this regard (as per General Assembly resolution 79/147). 

It is being organized in preparation for the Fifth Regional Review and Appraisal of MIPAA in Asia and the Pacific, to be held in the region in 2027. 

Expected outcomes 

The meeting aims to discuss recent and future trends in population ageing in Asia and the Pacific and highlight priority implications.  

Against this backdrop, meeting participants will then review a draft survey to be launched with ESCAP member States on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in early 2026.  

They will also review updates to the ESCAP repository of policies on ageing and the database of good practice which will be used as the platform to showcase the forthcoming survey results.