On the sidelines of the Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2026 (PMAC 2026), JCIE and ERIA co-hosted a side meeting entitled “Inter-regional, Inter-sectoral, and Multi-stakeholder Collaboration for Active Ageing and Innovation: Concerted Efforts from ASEAN Member States and Alliances,” which focused on showcasing, strengthening, and promoting cross-sectoral innovations promoting active aging in Asia.
The event was jointly organized by JCIE, ERIA, the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
JCIE Senior Fellow and former Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan, Keizo Takemi, offered closing remarks at the event, where he emphasized the challenge of single-person households without strong community ties, particularly in urban areas, as well as the rising numbers of so-called “socially isolated deaths.” JCIE Program Officer Momoko Abe led the wrap-up session for the event, which featured a moderated discussion with Dr. Liem Nguyen of ERIA that highlighted practical solutions to promote active aging. Finally, the event also featured a presentation from Dr. Duangchai Lorthanavanich of Thammasat University, whose Ready Senior project won honorable mention in the 4th round of HAPI.
ORGANIZERS
Organized by
ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI)
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE)
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
In Collaboration with
Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF)
International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC)
AGENDA
Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Health, Thailand; Member, ACAI Governing Board
Ms. Makimoto Saeda, Senior Deputy Director General, Human
Development Department, JICA
Dr. Kyaw Min Soe, Head of Policy Advocacy, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC), and Capacity Building, ACAI (MODERATOR)
Dr. Hjh Norhayati Hj Md Kassim, Senior Advisor, Department of Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam
Mr. Arunthep Sangvareethip, CEO & Founder of
EMETWORKS
Dr. Hein Thet Ssoe, CEO of AGE Myanmar
Mr. Takashi Yamaguchi, Director, International Affairs
Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Labour and
Welfare (MHLW), Japan
Dr. Abhijit Visaria, Technical Advisor, Population Dynamics, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Dr. Reiko Hayashi, Director General, National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS)
Dr. Paul Ong, Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy Officer, Tsao Foundation
Prof. Teresa Tsien, Adjunct Professor, Hang Seng University of
Hong Kong
Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan (Video Message)
Dr. Hiromasa Okayasu, Director, Data, Strategy and
Innovation, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO)
Fukuoka and Rayong sign an MOU for fostering knowledge and
technical exchange
Prof. Dr. Eef Hogervorst, Director of Dementia Research, National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, UK (MODERATOR)
Asst. Prof Dr. Duangjai Lorthanavanich, Director of Ageing Business and Care Development Centre (ABCD), Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University
Rabiatul Adawiyah binti Rohaimi, Planning Officer, Planning Department, City Council of Penang Island
Mr. Shintaro Nakamura, Senior Advisor on Social Security, JICA
Dr. Abhijit Visaria, Technical Advisor, Population Dynamics, United Nations Population Fund, Asia and the Pacific Regional Office
Dr. Liem Nguyen, Programme Manager on Social Welfare, ERIA
Ms. Momoko Abe, Program Officer, JCIE
Dr. Liem Nguyen, Programme Manager on Social Welfare, ERIA
Prof. Keizo Takemi, former Minister for Health, Labour and
Welfare of Japan; Senior Fellow, JCIE