ERIA and JCIE Advance Healthy Ageing Innovation with Launch of 5th HAPI at PMAC 2026

Bangkok, 30 January 2026: In collaboration with the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), ERIA hosted a Special Event at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2026 to officially launch the 5th Healthy Ageing Prize for Asian Innovation (HAPI).

The event underscored the growing urgency of addressing the challenges posed by rapidly ageing societies across Asia and highlighted the critical role of innovation in promoting healthy, inclusive, and resilient ageing. To mark the opening of the new award cycle, the Special Event featured a fireside chat that offered practical insights into the HAPI programme, including its objectives, application and selection processes, and the benefits for award recipients.

A key highlight was a presentation by Mr Edren M. Llanillo, Founder and Executive Director of Padyarescue Inc. and recipient of the 4th HAPI Grand Prize. He shared lessons from a community-based, intergenerational initiative in the Philippines that mobilises young volunteers to support older persons through health monitoring and disaster preparedness activities. His experience demonstrated how locally driven solutions can enhance community resilience while improving the health and well-being of ageing populations.

The fireside chat also featured contributions from the award organisers, including Dr Liem Nguyen, Programme Manager for Social Welfare at ERIA, and Ms Satoko Itoh, Managing Director of JCIE. Moderated by Mr Stephen Mc Hugh, Chief Program Officer at JCIE USA, the discussion encouraged dialogue on how innovative practices can be scaled to respond more effectively to population ageing across the region.

Co-organised by ERIA and JCIE, HAPI recognises and promotes innovative policies, programmes, services, and products that address the challenges of rapidly ageing societies, support healthy and fulfilling lives, and strengthen care systems for older persons. Since its inception, the initiative has completed four award cycles and received over 300 applications from 14 countries and regions across East and Southeast Asia. These efforts have built a strong repository of best practices and a growing regional platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, accessible through the official HAPI website.