The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) presented the ASEAN Framework on Unlocking the Silver Economy, a proposed regional policy initiative aimed at transforming population aging into an economic opportunity across Southeast Asia, during the ASEAN High-Level Forum on Unlocking the Silver Economy on June 4, 2026.
Framework Vision
NCSC Commissioner Camilo Gudmalin outlined the proposal, which anchors regional aging policy on security, dignity and productivity for older persons across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. "The ASEAN Framework on Unlocking the Silver Economy transforms ageing from a welfare problem into an economic and social opportunity. Anchored on a vision of security, dignity and purpose, guided by principles of equity, inclusion and innovation, it delivers through six pillars," Gudmalin said.
Six Strategic Pillars
Gudmalin said the framework anchors on six pillars represented by the acronym Silver: Social Protection and Income Security, Integrated Health and Care Systems, Lifelong Learning and Productive Engagement, Value Creation and Silver Industries, Enabling Age-Friendly Communities and Regional Cooperation. He said the vision ensures that by 2035, no older person in the region will live in poverty and aging will bring dignity and continued productive engagement.
Implementation Phases
The NCSC proposed a three-phase approach to support implementation from 2026 to 2035. The first phase, Foundation Building, will run from 2026 to 2028 and will focus on assessing national aging situations, establishing data systems, piloting age-friendly communities and training caregivers. The second phase, System Strengthening, will run from 2028 to 2031 to scale up long-term care systems, certify care workers, expand health financing and develop age-friendly infrastructure. The final phase, Innovation and Integration, will run from 2031 to 2035, when ASEAN member states are expected to develop age technology ecosystems, encourage cross-border investments in silver industries and fully integrate aging concerns into regional development planning.
Progress Monitoring
A regional aging dashboard, a biennial reporting mechanism and a scorecard will monitor progress, tracking indicators such as pension coverage, access to care services, digital inclusion, employment, gender equity and disability inclusion. The proposed framework will undergo further refinement and consultation among ASEAN member states after securing concurrence from the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development before formal adoption.
