The Asean delegation attended the conference held from Nov 4 to 6 at the Grand Millennium Hotel, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
AGEING and care are common issues that have drawn growing attention across the region, with most countries remaining in the early stages of implementing care-related initiatives. For Malaysia, current projections estimate that the nation will become an aged nation by 2030.
In response, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim introduced the care economy during the launch of the Madani Economy on July 27, 2023. This initiative aims not only to increase the female labour force but also to prepare Malaysia for demographic transformation.
As Finance Minister, Anwar emphasised that the “Madani Economy: Empowering the People” initiative is a comprehensive plan designed to address a wide range of challenges – from enhancing Malaysia’s competitiveness and investment appeal to tackling urgent issues that affect the daily lives of its citizens.
A key component of this strategy is The New Frontiers in the Care Economy Conference (CARECON) 2025. Held from Nov 4 to 6 at the Grand Millennium Hotel, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, the event brought together over 150 participants from Asean member states, government agencies, the private sector, higher education institutions and international organisations to reimagine care as both a social imperative and economic driver.
The conference’s theme, ‘Exploring models of sustainable, inclusive, responsive and equal care for Asean and the region’, reflects the urgency of shared challenges across South-East Asia, such as population ageing, climate change and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regional synergy
Held in conjunction with the Malaysian Asean Chairmanship, CARECON 2025 served as a significant platform to strengthen the regional care economy ecosystem and to position Malaysia as a regional hub for sustainable, inclusive and equitable innovations and policies.
These align with the aspirations of the Madani Economy and the 13th Malaysia Plan, which recognises the importance of the care sector management and the care economy as a new source of national income.
The conference’s theme, “Exploring models of sustainable, inclusive, responsive and equal care for Asean and the region”, reflects the urgency of shared challenges across South-East Asia, such as population ageing, climate change and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It also emphasises social sustainability in achieving the “ASEAN Declaration on strengthening the Care Economy and Fostering Resilience Towards the Post-2025 ASEAN Community”.
Over three days, CARECON 2025 examined care policies at the Asean level, explored innovative solutions and addressed common challenges through presentations, plenary sessions, group discussions and care benchmarking visits that showcased Malaysian care facilities including Taman Sinar Harapan Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Seremban.
The conference’s success was supported by international partners, including the Government of Australia, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), UN Women, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Care Economy Research Institute (La Trobe University, Melbourne), among others, who provided sponsorship covering flights, transportation costs and accommodation for participants.
A personal mission
For Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, the initiative is a personal mission.
Speaking with Suria FM, she shared how her own experience caring for her elderly mother during the pandemic deepened her commitment to advancing the care sector.
“I have a mother who is already old. And because of Covid-19, it was not easy for us to find a caregiver.
“From there, I looked at myself as both a daughter and a minister. I wanted to be responsible not only for my family but also for the many families facing the same struggle.
“Because of that, I see this as my opportunity and I am determined to ensure the caregiving industry in Malaysia is uplifted, both formal and informal,” she shared.
Her experience echoes the reality faced by many Malaysian families striving to care for ageing loved ones while managing work and personal responsibilities.
Nancy also highlighted Malaysia’s efforts to train and prepare caregivers not only for Malaysia but also making Malaysia the regional care hub for Asean as part of CARECON 2025’s broader objectives.
Nancy explaining on air at Suria FM how the nation is preparing caregivers for Malaysia and the Asean region, as part of the CARECON2025 initiatives. — AZMAN GHANI/ The Star
Care solutions
Beyond serving as a platform for discourse, CARECON 2025 marked a milestone with the launch of the “Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026–2030”, a comprehensive five-year roadmap developed by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry as the lead agency and regulatory body for long-term care development.
Among the five care-related initiatives announced under Budget 2026, the framework outlines implementation across short-, medium- and long-term horizons within five strategic cores:
> Legislation and Governance
> Competencies and Career Pathways
> Advocacy
> Strategic Cooperation and Research
> Technology and Data
In addition to strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional care hub, the conference showcased the country as a destination for competitive investment, establishing benchmarks for care frameworks and investment models.
The conference also equipped participants with the knowledge to address care economy challenges in their home countries through the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions.
Emerging leaders connected with regional experts through shared mentoring opportunities, building networks of advocates who will drive policy innovation across the region.
The launching ceremony of the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026-2030 was officiated by Nancy (centre). With her were Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad (left) and secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusof.
Optimistic path
Nancy shared that, over the next five years, the ministry aims to position Malaysia as Asean’s leading care hub while professionalising the sector by developing clear career pathways that make caregiving a respected and rewarding profession.
This includes enhancing competencies for both paid and unpaid caregivers through comprehensive training programmes, reviewing existing laws and exploring the need for dedicated care legislation.
The ministry will also strengthen strategic collaborations with international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), while launching public advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about the critical role of care in national well-being and economic growth.
“Who knows, one day, in 2030, all the caretakers will come from Malaysia. If that happens, the first step starts here,” Nancy enthused.
As Malaysia prepares for demographic transformation, the country is building an economic pillar that creates opportunity, dignity and security for all.
CARECON 2025 paves the way for Malaysia and Asean nations to redefine care, ageing and economic inclusion, charting a path toward a more compassionate and sustainable future.
