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Borneo Post

Sarawak gears up for International Ageing Conference this October

Handout photo shows Fatimah (second left) chairing the organising committee meeting KUCHING (May 6): Sarawak will host the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 to address the challenges of an ageing population and propose innovative solutions to support older persons in the state. Minister of Woman, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the conference, jointly organised with the Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatrics Society (SGGS), will take place from October 28 to 29 in Kuching. She revealed that Sarawak's population is ageing at a faster pace compared to the national trend. 'According to data from Department of Statistics Malaysia, Sarawak is projected to have around 16 per cent of its population aged 60 and above by 2028,' she said. SICA 2025 will be held in conjunction with the National Senior Citizens Day Celebration and the International Day of Older Persons. Themed 'Ageing with Dignity: Policies for Right, Inclusion and Social Protection', the conference aims to promote a comprehensive policy framework that upholds the rights of older persons. Fatimah said the framework would ensure inclusion of seniors in all aspects of society, provide adequate social protection, and foster dignity, empowerment, and equity for the state's ageing population. 'SICA 2025 is a crucial platform for Sarawak to future-proof our society and policies. By promoting active ageing, dignity and empowerment, we are investing not only in our older population but also in the future resilience of our communities,' she added. The two-day conference will include plenary sessions with speakers from the World Health Organization (WHO) and keynote addresses by experts from the MyAgeing Institute of Universiti Putra Malaysia. Concurrent sessions will cover a range of topics including policy development, healthcare, digitalisation, personal well-being, economic empowerment, and community engagement. Other highlights include forums featuring international insights on aged care from countries such as China, Japan, and Singapore; as well as exhibitions, networking activities, and intergenerational programmes involving older persons in discussions and activities. Fatimah also noted that key stakeholders expected to participate include government agencies, local councils, healthcare institutions, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector players, community leaders, caregivers and older persons themselves. 'This conference forms part of Sarawak's broader initiatives under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 and aligns with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030). The Ministry remains committed to improving the welfare and inclusion of the elderly population,' she added. elderly fatimah abdullah lead Sarawak International Conference on Ageing