Database of good practices on ageing

The beneficiaries will be older men and women in Maldives. 

The policy raised increased awareness also leading to the launch of an action plan to implement the policy. 

The policy is a revision of an earlier policy document, taking into consideration new regional priorities as committed to in the Fourth Asia-Pacific Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It was developed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development of Maldives with support from international experts and ESCAP. Stakeholders were consulted in several stakeholder consultations and their inputs included. 

The policy includes recent developments and was developed in collaboration with stakeholders. It is also supplemented with an action plan. 

Older persons in Bangladesh

It was developed as a national policy and referenced/embedded in later sector plans and national social protection strategy documents, which are used to operationalise policy commitments through programmes and implementation plans. 

It provides a national, cross-sector framework for ageing, helping coordinate action beyond one-off projects. It supports policy coherence and creates a platform for expanding measurable programmes.

All Indian citizens aged 60 and above, especially those facing poverty, ill‑health, or living in rural areas; the policy also emphasized support for vulnerable subgroups such as older women and the chronically ill.

The programme introduced state support for income security (e.g., pensions), healthcare access (geriatric wards, mobile clinics, caregiver training), and shelter and welfare services.

NPOP was formulated in line with both constitutional mandates and the UN‑declared International Year of Older Persons (1999) Implementation involved multiple ministries coordinating measures in health, transport, rural development, information, and urban planning. Mechanisms included setting up an autonomous National Council for Older Persons to ensure coordination.

It institutionalized a multi-sectoral, rights-based framework for elder welfare, introducing structured state support across diverse domains and establishing a coordinating council—setting a scalable benchmark for integrated aging policy.

• https://journal.gerontechnology.org/archives/2230-2710-1-PB.pdf

Beneficiaries included all Cambodian citizens, with a focus on vulnerable groups not yet covered by social protection—such as children, women, pregnant mothers, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. The UN Joint Programme specifically reached about 200,000 poor pregnant women and children under 2 years old.

The programme supports around 200,000 vulnerable pregnant women and children under 2, extending social protection coverage, promoting inclusive assistance, and improving early childhood well-being through integrative cash transfers and institutional capacity building (mptf.undp.org†source). By 2024, Cambodia’s social protection system had reached 7.5 million people nationwide.

The framework was grounded in the National Strategic Development Plan and Rectangular Strategy Phase III, developed through collaboration between multiple ministries and development partners (ILO, UNICEF, EU, GIZ, USAID, JICA, etc.)，It was implemented through the National Social Protection Council (NSPC), supported by legal frameworks, monitoring and evaluation systems, and UN Joint Programme assistance in training, institutional strengthening, and programme integration.

It adopts a lifecycle and inclusive approach, institutionalizes coordination across government and partners, and ensures sustainability by embedding social protection in Cambodia’s long-term development strategy.

• https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20250220/1bc71509129b4578bebfa16a4cacc912/c.html

Entire Malaysian population, with a focus on individuals, families, and communities across all age groups

The plan has strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration and raised awareness about the importance of physical activity in healthy human development. It has guided interventions to reduce insufficient physical activity by 10% by 2025, contributing to Malaysia’s efforts to meet global NCD targets. NASPAL has also influenced policy reforms in urban planning and workplace health promotion to create environments conducive to active living.

NASPAL was developed using a population health approach, involving collaboration between government and non-government sectors, as well as key areas such as education, urban planning, transportation, and communication. Implementation includes evidence-based strategies such as integrating health promotion into workplaces and healthcare facilities, improving built environments to encourage physical activity, and conducting community programs to foster active lifestyles.

NASPAL adopts a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to promoting physical activity, addressing both individual behavior and environmental factors. It is evidence-based, scalable, and aligned with global health targets, making it an exemplary model for reducing NCDs and improving the well-being of older persons through active living.

Primary beneficiaries are all older persons in Viet Nam with special emphasis given to vulnerable older persons. 

Việt Nam’s National Strategy on Older Persons to 2035, with a vision to 2045 was developed through a formal and inter‑ministerial policy process led by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), based on its legal mandate under the Law on the Elderly (2009). The strategy was prepared in response to Communist Party Resolution No. 42‑NQ/TW (2023) and Government Resolution No. 68/NQ‑CP (2024), which called for renewed and higher‑quality social policies to address rapid population ageing. Drafting was informed by national demographic evidence, assessments of previous ageing programmes, and accumulated implementation experience, and involved coordination with line ministries, provincial authorities, and institutional stakeholders such as the Viet Nam Association of the Elderly. The strategy was aligned with international commitments including the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and was formally adopted through Prime Ministerial Decision No. 383/QĐ‑TTg on 21 February 2025, providing the national framework for subsequent ministerial and provincial implementation plans.

It is a good practice because it adapts the earlier policy to new developments and considers older persons as agents of development. 

Việt Nam repositions older citizens as economic asset under long-term ageing strategy

The grant benefits senior workers aged 60 and above by incentivizing employers to offer part-time re-employment, flexible work arrangements (FWAs), and structured career planning (SCP)—thus aiding retention and sustained workforce participation.

Employers can receive up to S$2,500 per resident senior worker, capped at S$125,000 per company—enabling them to adopt age-friendly workplace practices and offer greater employment flexibility to seniors.

Developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore, PTRG is delivered through the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). Employers apply via formal channels and must adopt specific HR policies while attending workshops to qualify.

It uses targeted incentives to embed structured flexibility and age-friendly policies in workplaces, enabling senior workers to remain active contributors in an adaptable, inclusive employment model.

• https://www.wsg.gov.sg/docs/default-source/programme/new-ptrg-factsheet_epd_final_v3.pdf

Primarily people living with dementia and their family/whānau carers across New Zealand—benefiting from structured, community-oriented, primary care among DHBs.

The programme supports improved diagnosis and care coordination, easing pressure on specialist services. It enabled primary-care-led, standardized dementia pathways with clearer referral routes, education for providers, and routine carer respite. This structure has been noted as a promising, transferable model for enhancing dementia management. The approach has also mitigated long-term residential care costs by promoting earlier, community-based intervention that delays entry into aged residential care with potential savings estimated up to NZ$22 million per month.

Developed centrally by the Ministry of Health, the framework was funded for roll‑out through DHBs. It adopted a primary-care‑led model, offering education to primary providers, structured referral mechanisms, and consistent support tools for carers, all delivered via the DHB network.

It is a nationally implemented, primary-care-led, evidence-based model that standardizes dementia care pathways, enhances early diagnosis, supports carers, and reduces reliance on costly institutional care—demonstrating both cost-effectiveness and improved patient outcomes.

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347416781_A_national_dementia_care_pathway_explored_and_compared_Developing_topics

The beneficiaries are older persons in the Cook Islands. 

The non-contributory pensions provides basic income security to older persons in the Cook Islands. 

The Cook Islands’ universal social pension was developed as part of a long-standing commitment to social protection and inclusion for older persons. Introduced in the mid-1960s, it aimed to provide a basic income for all residents aged 60 and over, regardless of employment history or income, to reduce poverty and promote dignity in old age.

It is a good practice because it provides basic income security to older persons in the Cook Islands. It is a universal scheme. With clear residency rules, it is simple to administer and easy to access. 

Social Protection in the Cook Islands: A Case Study - P4SP

The Nordic Walking group is focused mainly on older generations, but participation by all generations is welcome.

It all started with a solitary New Year's walk of one of the movement's pioneers, Ms. Tamara Sanaeva - who also created the Facebook group. At first, the sight of a woman striding briskly along the pavement with two walking poles drew curious glances. Just a few years later, groups of Nordic walkers have become a familiar feature of Tashkent’s urban landscape.

One of the advantages of Nordic Walking is that you can do it nearly anywhere and little equipment is needed. Not only does it improve older persons' health and wellbeing but also helps bridge social isolation and finding new friends.

Новости Узбекистана, России, Казахстана, Украины, Белоруссии — Вести.UZТашкент учится скандинавской ходьбе | Новости Узбекистана, России, Казахстана, Украины, Белоруссии - Вести.UZ