As-salamu alaykum, Good morning everyone;

Your Excellency Suharso Monoarfa Minister of National Development Planning / BAPPENAS, Republic of Indonesia, represented by our good friend, Pak Maliki, Deputy Minister for Planning;

Your Excellency, Professor Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Vice Minister of Health, Republic of Indonesia;

Your Excellency Dr. Aishath Shiham, Minister of Social and Family Development of the Maldives;

My dear colleague, Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbhana, Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific;

Assistant Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya;

Our dear friend, Cherian Mathews, CEO of HelpAge International; 

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, dear friends and colleagues,

It is a privilege to join you at this 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing. I extend my sincere thanks to the Ministry of National Development Planning for Population and Labor of the Republic of Indonesia and HelpAge International for co-hosting this important event with us at UNFPA.

Our gathering comes at an important time - when individual rights and choices are under immense strain. A time when governments are facing unprecedented pressures owing to economic downturns, rising migration, and an international architecture that is fractured. And a time when the human fabric of societies, across the world, is stretched and tested, very often pushing the most vulnerable further into the shadows.

So we have much to discuss and we have work to do.

The good news, of-course, is that we are not starting from scratch. The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed remarkable progress in recent decades, with significant advancements in education, employment, and health, including sexual and reproductive health. Yet, even as we celebrate these successes, we must acknowledge the persistent inequalities, particularly gender disparities that are further intensified by climate change, conflict, and rapid digital transformation. 

At the same time, the region faces significant demographic shifts: while some countries grapple with low fertility rates, others see an increase in the number of people living longer and hopefully, healthier lives. 

The statistics paint a clear picture: by 2050, the number of individuals aged 60 and above will double, with those over 65 surpassing the population of children – under 5 – for the first time in history. This demographic shift presents challenges, but as we’ve heard, it also presents opportunities – opportunities for innovation in healthcare, lifelong learning, and inclusive policies that not only support but celebrate the potential of our ageing population.

To navigate the demographic shift effectively, it is evident that we must develop and implement strategies that ensure older adults live with dignity, have access to essential services, and remain active participants in all areas of society, including the workforce.

At UNFPA, our strategy for addressing population ageing is comprehensive and strategic. We adopt a rights-based, life-cycle approach, recognizing that investment at every stage of life—from infancy to old age—is crucial for fostering resilience and well-being. 

This includes championing policies that empower girls and women, including the elderly, and protecting them from gender-based violence. For instance, elder abuse, which can manifest as physical, emotional, or financial exploitation, is a significant issue that requires targeted interventions and support systems. Ensuring access to essential sexual and reproductive health services is also crucial. This encompasses addressing issues such as sexual function, fertility, support for older adults living with sexually transmitted infections, and menopause-related health services. To further strengthen this work, we advocate for increased research and development in geriatric healthcare and promote age-inclusive environments.

We are also harnessing the power of data through tools like National Transfer Accounts (NTA). These NTAs help analyze intergenerational resource flows and they guide targeted interventions. NTAs provide crucial insights into the economic impacts of population ageing, allowing us to craft tailored policies that benefit both younger and older generations. This data-driven approach is vital – vital if we want to unlock the potential of an ageing population and ensure inclusivity, so that no one is left behind.

Moreover, we see the "silver economy" as a crucial asset to society. The potential silver demographic dividend is significant and has the capacity to boost the gross domestic product of many countries in the region, ranging from 0.4 per cent in Malaysia to 2.8 per cent in Japan according to recent studies. 

Dear friends, let us be clear today – older adults are not a burden; they are a wellspring of wisdom, experience, and innovation. By encouraging active and healthy ageing, strengthening intergenerational solidarity, and implementing age-inclusive policies and environments, including robust support for the care economy, with governments taking a leading role in ensuring that care responsibilities are met – only then, we can fully leverage the potential of our ageing populations, contributing to more resilient and prosperous societies for everyone.

As we delve into the complexities of addressing these challenges and opportunities over the coming days – challenges and opportunities presented by our ageing global population – rest assured that UNFPA stands at the forefront, advocating for the adoption of these comprehensive strategies, while providing technical assistance to governments. 

We recognize that this task cannot be undertaken alone; it requires collaboration with all stakeholders at this conference and beyond, who are all playing a pivotal role in joining the advocacy, shaping legislative frameworks, forging partnerships, and allocating sufficient resources.

There is a proverb in Indonesia – "Anjing menggonggong, kafilah berlalu" – which literally means, "the dog barks, but the caravan moves on." For us, that message could be translated as "Life goes on, even if some people try to stop progress."

Let's all keep moving forward.

Let’s keep working towards reframing ageing to a paradigm of health and opportunity, inclusivity, and  fairness for everyone, regardless of age.

It is only by working together that we can amplify our impact, exchange knowledge, and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, fulfilling that promise of the International Conference on Population and Development that we agreed to 30 years ago in Cairo, including by making sexual and reproductive health and rights a lived reality for all.

Thank you all very much and I wish you all a very productive and enjoyable conference.