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.