The ISSA report, 10 global challenges for social security – Asia and the Pacific, is the result of research, analysis and consultation with more than 30 government departments and social security institutions in Asia and the Pacific.

The report accompanies the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific, will take place in Kuala Lumpur from 2 to 4 October 2018, at the invitation of the Social Security Organisation (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial – PERKESO) of Malaysia. The Forum will welcome more than 400 participants from at least 35 countries and 75 social security institutions from across the region.

Recognizing that government and public administrations are faced with an increasingly volatile and complex environment, the report analyses how social security systems are impacted by a number of global challenges, and provides evidence from Asia and the Pacific of how national social security bodies can mitigate risks and prepare for the future.

The ten challenges for social security in Asia and the Pacific, in priority order, presented in the ISSA report are:

• Closing the coverage gap
• Health and long-term care
• The technological transition
• Higher public expectations
• Population ageing
• Labour markets and the digital economy
• Employment of young workers
• Inequalities across the life course
• New risks, shocks and extreme events
• Protection of migrant workers

Managing risks

“The convergence of political commitment, economic development and improved administration mean that in Asia and the Pacific levels of social security protection are at an all-time high,” said ISSA Secretary General Hans-Horst Konkolewsky presenting the report.

“This context provides a window of opportunity to anticipate the challenges to social security in Asia and the Pacific, but will require governments and institutions to develop comprehensive and strategic responses to ensure the continued growth and development of social security across the region”, he noted.

Greater innovation to ensure sustainability

The ISSA report highlights effective responses by social security institutions in Asia and the Pacific to anticipate and adapt to the changing context, and sets out examples of best practice. The report underlines that greater innovation will be needed to ensure sustainable schemes for future generations.

As a unique international platform for social security administrations, the ISSA has developed programmes to facilitate exchange and enhance innovation, and new initiatives will be presented at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific.

The new report will frame the discussions at the Forum, which is one of the most important gathering of social security policy-makers and leaders in Asia and the Pacific, involving over 400 representatives from more than 35 countries.

For more information on the report please go to: www.issa.int/10