From Silver to Gold: A Ten-Year Journey of Innovation in Smart Ageing

Ten years ago, Golden Age Foundation (GAF) recognised with clarity and urgency the challenges and opportunities brought about by global population ageing. We firmly believed that only disruptive thinking and innovation could truly reshape the future. In response, we introduced the concept of “Smart Ageing,” redefining ageing not as a societal burden, but as a driving force for progress and innovation.

Over the past decade, GAF has launched numerous pioneering initiatives, fostering cross-sector collaboration and civic engagement. Our mission has been to transform longevity into a source of limitless potential for individuals and society alike. We believe that longevity is not merely about extending life, but about unlocking new lifestyles and economic models.

Since the establishment of the Golden Age Expo and Summit (GAES) in 2016, GAF has consistently adopted a forward-looking approach to designing innovative solutions that address the emerging needs and market opportunities of an ageing society. At the time, the concept of the “silver economy” was far from mainstream. Starting from scratch, we worked closely with institutional members to bring the supply and demand side together, attracting like-minded pioneers and gradually building a vibrant platform for exchange, international cooperation, and innovation.

To date, GAES has brought together over 108,000 participants, including more than 1,000 exhibiting organizations, 950 speakers, and 1,200 partners and supporting institutions from over 20 countries and regions. This has cultivated a dynamic, intergenerational, and cross-regional smart ageing community.

This year’s theme, “A Decade of Innovation: From Silver to Gold,” symbolises a profound transformation in product adaptability, service innovation, technological application, and marketing strategies. We have moved beyond age-based stereotypes and embraced empathy, care, and inclusion as core values. The silver economy is no longer just a market—it has become a cornerstone of economic resilience and growth in 21st-century Asia.

At the 10th GAES, we are focusing on six key themes that will shape the future of the silver economy:

Financial services and investment
Innovative eldercare and international collaboration
Healthcare products and solutions
Age-friendly communities and new ageing models
Applications of digital technology
Lifestyle and wellness products and services

These themes will be showcased across 200 exhibition booths and explored through more than 40 seminars, workshops, and interactive events. In addition, the 4th Smart Ageing Awards will honour 23 outstanding enterprises and leaders who have made significant contributions to shaping the future of ageing.

We stand at a pivotal moment in history. Children born today may live beyond 100 years. This is not merely a demographic shift—it is a redefinition of values and ways of living. We no longer ask, “How do we respond to an ageing society?” but rather, “How do we reimagine ageing and harness the full potential of longevity?”

The future hinges on two critical dimensions:

1. Empowering Individuals

According to international research, the energy and cognitive abilities of 70-year-olds today are comparable to those of 50-year-olds. Through the process of smart ageing, older adults can live healthy, active, independent, and purposeful lives.

2. Empowering the Economy

Older adults are not only consumers—they are caregivers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Their values and preferences are reshaping markets. When businesses innovate, policies align, and communities embrace the diverse needs of older adults, ageing becomes a catalyst for societal transformation.

As we plan for the next decade, GAF will continue to play a pivotal role at both the individual and societal levels—sparking dialogue, building partnerships, and driving change. With Hong Kong’s growing prominence as a global financial and trade hub, longevity is no longer just a demographic trend; it is a strategic asset.

GAF will persist in advancing innovation, policy coordination, and cross-sector collaboration, forging meaningful alliances across Asia and supporting more cities in becoming champions of smart ageing. Together, let us build a more inclusive, resilient, and innovative future for longevity.

Founding Chair

Mrs Rebecca Choy Yung