Asia-Pacific policymakers to meet in Bangkok to tackle ageing, jobs crisis

Ministers and senior officials from across Asia and the Pacific will gather in Bangkok later this month to address the region's accelerating demographic shifts, including ageing populations, youth unemployment and growing inequality between generations. 

The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), scheduled for April 20-24, will be held under the theme Leaving no one behind: Advancing a Society for All Ages in Asia and the Pacific”. 

The region, home to more than 60% of the world's population, is undergoing a fundamental demographic transition — from large families to smaller households, and from shorter to longer lives. More than 500 million people in Asia and the Pacific are now aged 65 and above.

Discussions will cover labour market reform, social protection, women's economic empowerment, care systems and policies to support healthy ageing.

Senior officials from Thailand, Azerbaijan, China, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Russian Federation and others are expected to attend. ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana will lead the proceedings.

The session will also convene separate dialogues for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The meeting will be livestreamed at webtv.un.org and youtube.com/unescap.

What: The 82nd session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific  
When:  20 – 24 April 2026 
Where:  UN Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok  https://bit.ly/SocietyForAllAges 
In-person registration: https://indico.un.org/event/1021067  
Livestream for online attendees: https://webtv.un.org/ and https://www.youtube.com/unescap
Full programme:  https://www.unescap.org/events/commission82 
Access the theme study: https://bit.ly/SocietyForAllAges 

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