by UNFPA in Malaysia / UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s role as a regional leader on population and development continues to grow, following its appointment as host of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) Global Secretariat in 2025. This leadership was further strengthened on 12 May 2026, when an official agreement was signed granting AFPPD Global formal Implementation Partner status under the 2026–2029 UNFPA Global and Regional Programme, reinforcing its role as a key platform for regional cooperation and dialogue on the demographic changes shaping ASEAN's future.
Demographic change, characterized by declining fertility rates, shrinking working-age populations, and rising life expectancies, has emerged as a defining factor shaping the long-term economic resilience and social well-being of nations.
Currently, ASEAN member states are experiencing one of the world's most rapid demographic transitions. Last year, Singapore’s population aged 65 and above hit 20 per cent, a first for any ASEAN nation. Malaysia officially became an "ageing nation" in 2021, while countries such as Thailand and Vietnam are also rapidly transitioning, driven by increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates.
Given these shared regional challenges, the appointment of AFPPD as a UNFPA Implementation Partner provides Malaysia with a strategic platform to strengthen cooperation for policy dialogue and knowledge-sharing on population and development.
“As countries across ASEAN adapt to demographic change, strong partnerships and regional cooperation are essential to enhancing the well-being of populations and building more inclusive, resilient and prosperous societies. Malaysia’s leadership in hosting the AFPPD Global Secretariat provides an important platform for sharing experiences, strengthening collaboration and advancing dialogue on population and development across the region,” said Dr. Aleksandar ‘Sasha’ Bodiroza, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
This spirit of regional collaboration culminated in the inaugural ASEAN-UNFPA Forum on Population Dynamics and Development, which was successfully hosted from 10 to 11 November 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The ongoing engagements and cross-border thought leadership generated by this Forum have been pivotal in mainstreaming the population and development agenda across participating countries. The second edition of this Forum, entitled ASEAN High-Level Forum on Unlocking the Silver Economy, is being held this week in Manila, Philippines, from 3 to 4 June 2026, with a strong, diverse Malaysian delegation.
Since 1982, the AFPPD has brought together policymakers from across Asia to facilitate the exchange of technical expertise and legislative knowledge on pressing population issues, particularly those affecting youth, women, and older persons in vulnerable situations. As the proud host of both the AFPPD Global Secretariat and the foundational ASEAN-UNFPA Population Forum, Malaysia has demonstrated the political will and technical capacity to lead Asian policy thinking on long-term demographic resilience.
Looking to the future, UNFPA welcomes Malaysia’s ascending leadership in navigating ASEAN’s shared demographic realities and challenges. As trusted technical partners, UNFPA in Malaysia and the UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office stand ready to support the Malaysian government and AFPPD in driving rights-based, impactful, and data-driven solutions – locally, regionally, and globally.
