Chula Leads International Dialogue on Aging Innovation and the Silver Economy

Chulalongkorn University, through its College of Population Studies, organized the international conference and workshop titled “Community-Led Approaches and Innovations for Better Care Systems and Community Resilience toward an Inclusive Silver Economy.” 

The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, with welcome remarks delivered by Rutchadaporn Sapsombat, Managing Director of KRS Expansion Co., Ltd. A keynote address on “Aging Innovation Expo Thailand and Asia Longevity Economy Summit” was presented by Mr. Virit Viseshsindh on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC). 

Jointly organized by Thailand’s Department of Older Persons, the College of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), and international partner networks, the event runs from May 6–8, 2026, with the goal of advancing sustainable elderly care innovation and the longevity economy. 

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat stated that the demographic transition toward an aging society is a structural transformation affecting every dimension of society, including families, the economy, and healthcare systems. The conference aims to foster cross-sectoral and international collaboration to develop high-quality, inclusive, and dignified elderly care systems. It also seeks to promote practical policy recommendations, such as the proposed Bangkok Recommendations, to help build a sustainable future for aging societies. 

Deputy Permanent Secretary Virit Viseshsindh emphasized that the transition to an aging society is not only a challenge but also a major opportunity for the emerging longevity economy. He noted that this transformation requires innovation, technology, and human capital development across all groups in society—not only as consumers, but also as drivers of economic growth. 

The Thai government is therefore promoting new industries such as medical technology, robotics, and future foods, while supporting SMEs in entering supply chains and accelerating the commercialization of research to strengthen the country’s long-term competitiveness. 

As Asia-Pacific countries rapidly transition into aging societies, the conference highlights the role of communities as the primary platform for delivering elderly care services. The objective is to connect national policies with scalable local health and social systems capable of addressing emerging challenges, such as rising rates of chronic illness and dementia alongside a declining number of family caregivers. 

For Rutchadaporn Sapsombat, the Ageing Innovation Expo Thailand 2026 and the international conference aim to serve as a platform for showcasing healthcare and elderly care innovations while fostering collaboration among government agencies, private sector organizations, and international partners. 

The event includes exhibitions, academic forums, business matching sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities involving both domestic and international experts. These efforts are expected to concretely advance the growth of the silver economy in Asia. 

A key expected outcome of the conference is the drafting of the Bangkok Recommendations, a set of guidelines for countries seeking to develop community-based care systems. The recommendations will emphasize financial sustainability, workforce development, and equitable technology adoption to help communities become resilient against health, economic, and environmental crises. 

The event is supported by leading global and regional organizations, including: 

The conference is being held alongside the Ageing Innovation Expo Thailand 2026 and the Asia Longevity Economy Summit.