By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3: The establishment of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) Global Secretariat in Malaysia is expected to drive stronger legislation, more resilient institutions, expanded opportunities for youth, and greater dignity for ageing populations across the region.
Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also president of AFPPD Malaysia, said the new secretariat reflects Malaysia’s growing leadership role within the organisation after member states entrusted the country with hosting the AFPPD Global Secretariat in 2025.
He said the secretariat’s new office in Kuala Lumpur will be officially inaugurated tomorrow, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s expanding contribution to regional population and development issues.
“The success of the Secretariat will never be measured by the building itself. It will be measured by the ideas it generates, the partnerships it builds and the lives it improves.
“It must become a catalyst for better legislation, stronger institutions, greater opportunities for young people and greater dignity for ageing populations,” he said in his welcoming remarks at the AFPPD Annual Conference 2026 here today.
Among those present were Senate President Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, AFPPD chairperson Kamikawa Yoko, and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Executive Director Pio Smith.
Nanta said Malaysia’s journey towards assuming a larger role within AFPPD began in 2024 following discussions with Professor Keizo Takemi during the International Conference on Population and Development in Tokyo.
Those discussions eventually culminated in a successful bid, with AFPPD member states selecting Malaysia to host the organisation’s Global Secretariat in 2025.
Addressing demographic challenges, Nanta noted that populations worldwide are ageing at an unprecedented rate, requiring policymakers to adopt new approaches and develop policies that evolve alongside demographic shifts.
“Ageing must never be viewed as a burden to be managed. It should be recognised as a testament to human progress, reflecting better healthcare, higher living standards and longer life expectancy.
“The care economy should not be regarded merely as a policy discussion, but as a measure of our humanity and our commitment to protecting the dignity of those who depend on support, including children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and vulnerable families,” he said.
He added that Malaysia is taking proactive steps to prepare for an ageing society through the 13th Malaysia Plan and the newly introduced Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026-2030.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening youth development, accelerating digital transformation and improving overall quality of life.
The two-day conference, themed “Parliamentary Leadership for the Future: An All-of-Society Approach to the Care Economy and Demographic Resilience”, has brought together parliamentarians from Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Arab world to discuss strategies for addressing demographic change.
Meanwhile, Awang Bemee, in his keynote address when officiating the conference, said demographic change must be treated as a governance challenge, with long-term demographic considerations embedded in national policymaking.
He said ageing populations, changing family structures, declining fertility rates, migration and rapid urbanisation are reshaping healthcare systems, labour markets, pension schemes, public finances and overall quality of life, requiring coordinated policies, adequate resources and responsive legislation.
Awang Bemee also stressed the need to pay greater attention to the care economy, noting that smaller family sizes, increased life expectancy and changing living arrangements are placing growing pressure on traditional family-based caregiving systems.
“Demographic resilience requires an all-of-society approach. Challenges such as ageing populations and declining fertility are closely linked to employment, housing, education, childcare and social protection.
“While countries face different demographic realities, there is much they can learn from one another’s experiences and policy responses,” he said. — Bernama
