Global Coalition on Aging, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society to host Silver Economy Forum 2026 in Kuala Lumpur

The Global Coalition on Aging and the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society will bring government, business and health leaders to Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 11-12 for Silver Economy Forum 2026. The summit is designed to turn ageing populations into an economic advantage as Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region face rapid demographic change.

Why it matters: - Malaysia’s population over 60 is projected to rise from 11.6% in 2024 to 17.3% by 2040. - By 2050, every ASEAN nation is expected to be ageing, aged or super-ageing, with people over 65 making up more than 16% of the regional population. - The forum is meant to shape policies and business models that treat healthy longevity as a driver of growth, not just a social cost.

What happened: - The Global Coalition on Aging and the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society will jointly host Silver Economy Forum 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 11-12. - The event is billed as a high-level summit focused on policy, business and collaborative solutions for ageing societies. - The forum will bring together senior leaders from business, government, civil society, multilateral organisations, academia and media. - Malaysia’s Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, backed the initiative and linked it to Malaysia’s MADANI principles and national policy goals. - Participation is by invitation only and closed to the public.

The details: - The forum theme is “Healthy Longevity for Economic Growth.” - Discussions will focus on how longer lives can create economic dividends through investments in health, labour and innovation across the life course. - Sessions will cover disease prevention, the economic benefits of healthy ageing, and innovations and policies that could reshape the care economy. - Organisers said SEF26 will address outdated policy and financing models and push market innovations that expand workforce participation, reduce long-term care costs and unlock productivity gains. - Lead sponsors include Bayer, GSK and Venus Healthcare Homes. - The event will include panels, fireside chats and select keynotes. - The speaker lineup is expected to include experts from life sciences, technology, travel and financial services. - Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy said the forum complements the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026-2030. - Nancy Hodin is the contact for organisations seeking to nominate leaders for the invitation-only event. - The registration contact email is nancy@globalcoalitiononaging.com. - The Global Coalition on Aging’s LinkedIn page is available here.

Between the lines: - Malaysia is trying to position itself as a regional hub for healthy ageing policy and silver economy innovation. - The forum also gives business leaders a platform to argue that ageing demographics can support new markets, new investment and broader economic resilience. - The timing lines up with the final years of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and the Sustainable Development Goals, which adds urgency to the policy agenda. - The event’s regional focus on ASEAN, Japan, Korea and China suggests organisers want Kuala Lumpur to serve as a convening point for Asia’s fastest-ageing markets.

What's next: - SEF26 will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 11-12. - Organisers are expected to use the forum to promote cross-sector commitments on health, workforce policy and innovation. - Malaysia’s role in the regional ageing conversation is likely to grow as its older population expands over the next two decades.

The bottom line: - SEF26 is being framed as a policy and business meeting point for a major demographic shift, with Malaysia aiming to turn ageing into an economic growth story.