Healthy ageing as a pathfinder for future societies

SEOUL, 16 September 2025 – At the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High-level Meeting on Health and the Economy, leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region renewed their focus on building healthier societies amid a profound demographic shift. The World Health Organization (WHO) framed population ageing not as a challenge to be managed, but as a unique opportunity − a pathfinder for redesigning systems to promote well-being throughout the entire life course.

“This is a fundamental pivot − from a ‘sick’ system to a ‘health’ system,” said Dr Hiromasa Okayasu, Director of the Division of Healthy Environments and Populations at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, during his keynote address. This vision is not just about health-care reform, but a societal blueprint where older persons are seen as vital contributors to the economic, cultural and social fabric of the region.

From Brunei Darussalam to Viet Nam, a unified direction for healthy ageing is emerging in the Western Pacific, transforming a potential challenge into an opportunity for innovation and growth.

Building a whole-of-society foundation

At the heart of this transformation is the understanding that healthy ageing extends far beyond the clinic. Member States are adopting a whole-of-government approach, recognizing that creating truly age-friendly societies requires deep collaboration.

The Philippines has a “whole-of-system approach” that coordinates efforts across the health, social welfare, urban planning and transportation sectors. Similarly, Malaysia’s national framework aligns multiple sectors − including housing and digital infrastructure − to improve people’s overall quality of life. This reflects a growing recognition, also highlighted at the APEC meeting, of the transformative potential of digital health and AI in creating ageing-responsive societies. To ensure high-level leadership, Viet Nam has established a National Committee for the Elderly, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, to coordinate this multisectoral strategy.

Community-based integrated care: the heart of “ageing in place”

A core goal shared across the region is enabling older adults to age in place – to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Japan has been pioneering this concept, and local governments have adapted it for their context, working with all relevant sectors. The Republic of Korea is expanding its Integrated Community Care programme nationwide to provide in-home medical and nursing services. Singapore is dedicating approximately 800 million Singaporean dollars to enhance its network of Active Ageing Centres, turning them into vibrant hubs for social connection, learning and health promotion.

This focus is echoed in the Philippines, where the national Healthy Ageing Programme is being integrated with the Age-friendly Cities and Communities framework to build supportive local environments. Countries are also increasingly using digital tools to enhance these community-based models.

Unleashing the longevity dividend

Perhaps the most profound shift is in the narrative about ageing itself. Countries are actively reframing what it means to grow old, celebrating the experience and wisdom of older people.

Brunei Darussalam views ageing not as a decline, but as “a continuum of contribution, dignity and opportunity”, while China speaks of unleashing the “longevity dividend” by exploring the vast potential of the silver economy. This vision is being backed by concrete action, with the Republic of Korea aiming to create 1.1 million jobs for older adults and Singapore’s “Age Well SG” initiative promoting volunteerism and employment.

To ensure that longer, more active lives are also healthier lives, the focus is pivoting decisively towards prevention of ill health. By promoting healthy diets, social activities and regular health screenings, Member States aim to mitigate long-term care costs and empower their citizens not just to survive but to thrive in their later years.

The discussions at the APEC meeting mark a critical step forward, solidifying a regional vision for healthy ageing. Moving forward, WHO is committed to working with Member States to turn this vision into reality. This includes building evidence with governments and academia, providing strategic support for whole-of-society approaches and facilitating the exchange of best practices − including the responsible integration of digital innovations − to enhance the community-based integrated care that allows older people to thrive.

_{An AI-generated picture of Dr Hiromasa Okayasu at 80 years old drove home the message that ageing applies to everyone. © WHO / April Siwon Lee}