Overview
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is supporting the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) of the Philippines, in organizing an in-person National Consultation for the Promotion of Policies on Ageing in the Philippines, to be held in Manila from 3 to 4 February 2026. This consultation forms part of the CPD-ESCAP partnership aimed at strengthening national capacity for developing and implementing comprehensive policies for older persons.
Population ageing is a global and regional megatrend, and with 60 per cent of all older persons in the world (65 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.
The Philippines stands at a critical demographic juncture. With a current population of approximately 115 million, the country is experiencing a fundamental shift in its age structure that will transform it into an ageing society by 2030. This rapid demographic transition—occurring within just one decade—demands immediate, comprehensive policy responses.
Objectives
This in-person meeting provides technical cooperation support to member States and non-governmental organizations on ageing and enhanced cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, to promote ageing issues and develop partnerships in this regard (as per General Assembly resolution 79/147).
Expected outcomes
The meeting aims to:
- Review and validate a comprehensive policy brief on ageing in the Philippines.
- Develop an actionable dissemination and communication plan for ageing policies.
- Identify priority areas for policy implementation and inter-agency coordination.
- Share experiences and good practices from national and local initiatives.
- Establish commitments for follow-up actions and monitoring mechanisms.
This national consultation will bring together government focal points on ageing, policymakers from key national agencies, representatives from local government units, civil society organizations, academic institutions, development partners and regional experts to collectively assess, strengthen and promote policies that ensure the well-being, dignity and active participation of older persons in Philippine society.