(VOVworld) – An Asia-Pacific regional conference on the economic implications of ageing took place in Hanoi on Tuesday.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam at the conference. (Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA)

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is the President of the National Committee for Vietnamese Elderly People, said Vietnam was at the pinnacle of a golden population and moving towards the threshold of becoming a country with an elderly population. It’s estimated that the number of young and old people will be the same in 20 years. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said: “We understand that although it is not a new matter, it poses numerous challenges to Vietnam. Vietnam needs not only to overcome these challenges, but turn them into opportunities for development. We need to promote the role of the elderly”

The global population is also aging rapidly, which is challenging the governments of countries in the development and application of public policies to support people at all ages including the elderly.

The conference was held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) of Vietnam and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and HelpAge International.