Tabriz, 3 July 2017-The Regional Forum on Policy Implications of Population Ageing continued in the afternoon, with panel discussions on social inclusion and income security, demographic change and policy implications, and how well Asian societies’ are prepared to face ageing.

The first panel started with presentations by Dr. Giang Thanh Long, from Vietnam’s National Economics University, and Dr. Kyung Hee Chung, from the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. The main message was that social protection must be guaranteed for all elderly, and that income security, active social participation, and health are component for a successful ageing.

The second panel was dedicated to Demographic change and policy implications, with presentations by Dr. Wesumperuma, Advisor on Ageing and Social Protection from Myanmar, and Ms. Jinanggoong Rojananan, from the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand.  Dr. Wesumperuma reviewed Asia’s demographic trend between 1950s to 2050s, and the gradual transition in perspectives from the individual vulnerable older person model, to the advanced model of addressing implications of population ageing and mainstreaming it in policies.  The latter touches on implications of ageing in economic productivity and social cohesion, and hence requires a multi-sectoral approach involving many ministries and planning organization.

The afternoon ended with a panel session on how well Asian societies are prepared to face ageing.   The panel was composed of Ms. Jinanggoong Rojananan, Dr. Jalal Abassi, Dr. Haydar from Pakistan, and Dr. Mika Maramuto from Japan. Dr. Abassi emphasized that ageing is not a crisis or a tsunami, but a dynamic and long term process “which will not finish tomorrow”.  The evidence-based approach was praised in which researcher’s role was deemed critical.

The second day will continue with panel discussions on the topic.