Building a Care Movement: Asia-Pacific stakeholders chart a path forward in response to demographic shifts

[Press release]

Seoul, Republic of Korea – Amid growing demand to transform care systems in the face of demographic shifts across the Asia-Pacific region, the UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre, with support from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea, convened regional leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, researchers, and care advocates in Seoul for Building a Care Movement – Technical Assistance Facility on Transforming Care Systems in the Context of Demographic Shifts, as part of UN Women’s regional TransformCare Investment Initiative Asia-Pacific (TCII-AP).

The three-day event opened on 1 December with a policy forum, Building a Care Movement – Regional Insights on Transforming Care Systems in Response to Demographic Shifts, where leaders from China, India, Nepal, Korea, and Viet Nam shared key national policies they have advanced and financed to strengthen care systems.

The discussions also highlighted lessons learned in adopting a “whole-of-society” approach to reforming care systems, emphasizing collaboration across government, the private sector, civil society, and communities to ensure inclusive and sustainable care solutions.

“Transforming care systems is not optional; it is the foundation for gender equality, economic growth, and social resilience,” said Yun Jeong Hwang, Director of the Centre, in her opening remarks.

Asia and the Pacific is undergoing one of the most profound demographic transitions worldwide. By 2050, 1 in 4 people in the region will be over 60, with women forming the majority of older persons and facing heightened risks of poverty, isolation, and health vulnerabilities. At the same time, fertility rates are declining, and concerns are growing over rising care needs. With the care-dependent population projected to increase sharply, building equitable, inclusive, and sustainable care systems has become an imperative for development, economic resilience, and gender equality.

The Korean government, a long-standing champion of gender equality and care reform, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a more inclusive care agenda in the region.

“The Government of the Republic of Korea has been strengthening high-quality care infrastructure and promoting a more gender-inclusive working environment. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family remains committed to supporting diverse family arrangements, reducing care gaps, and building a sustainable care system that safeguards the well-being of every member of society,” said Sejin Yoon, Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

The policy forum was followed by a two-day workshop on 2-3 December, where policymakers, government officials, academics, and civil society organizations from Korea and across the region, including China, India, Nepal, and Viet Nam, exchanged lessons learned, best practices, and policy innovations aimed at advancing care systems.

The workshop also provided valuable insights into Korea’s strategies and forward-looking plans for transforming care systems. It showcased the country’s multi-level innovations and efforts to develop robust legal and policy frameworks that support more inclusive and sustainable care provision, spanning the health, employment, family, and gender equality sectors. Complementing these national-level measures, the Republic of Korea has also promoted integrated support for community care, and city-level initiatives, including the development of “caring city” models that integrate local services and community networks to improve care delivery at the local level.

India, Nepal, and Viet Nam – three countries that received capacity development support this year from the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) and the UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre – shared their perspectives on care financing, as well as their ongoing efforts to adopt a “caring city” approach. These discussions were built on the outcomes of national workshops previously held in each country.

Taken together, the event served as a platform for cross-country exchange on care policies and best practices to respond to demographic shifts and reimagine care systems, while also showcasing the Republic of Korea’s advancements in the care sector. It further fostered multi-country, multi-sectoral dialogue among key stakeholders to help build a Care Movement across Asia and the Pacific.