ACAI Fosters Public Engagement on the Ageing Regional Action Plan

For the very first time, the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) invited public participation through an open webinar session held on 27 August 2026. This inaugural webinar provided a foundational, broad overview of active ageing in ASEAN, anchored in the Regional Action Plan (RAP) on Active Ageing for ASEAN. As many as 149 participants from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and non-ASEAN members joined to discover what RAP seeks to achieve, why it matters for each ASEAN country, and how it connects to ASEAN’s broader commitments.

Dr Somsak Akksilp, Executive Director of ACAI, emphasised the importance of translating the plan into concrete actions at the national level. He envisioned strong multisectoral collaboration to implement active ageing initiatives that aim at health and well-being; economic and financial security; social participation and inclusion; as well as age-friendly and enabling environments, with digital technologies supporting these four areas.

A panel discussion moderated by Dr Donghee Han, Director of the Korea Research Institute of Science for the Better Living of the Elderly, addressed critical points of view on global frameworks, national priorities, and funding mechanisms. Contributed panellists were Dr Mikiko Kanda, Technical Lead for the Healthy Ageing Unit of WHO-WPRO; Dr Gabriele Domingo, Alternate ACAI Governing Board Member, Department of Health of the Philippines; and Mr Naoki Minamiguchi, Director of the JAIF Management Team (JMT).