The 12th Forum and Best Practices Award for Elderly Care in Arab Countries, alongside the Arab Strategic Forum for the Silver Economy, convened on October 3, 2026, at the Mövenpick Hotel in Bahrain. The event, held under the patronage of Bahrain’s Minister of Social Development, Osama bin Saleh Al-Alawi, brought together experts, government officials, and civil society representatives from across the Arab region to discuss strategies for enhancing the welfare and engagement of older adults.
Among the keynote presentations, Hamad Zaid Saud Al-Bseis, United Nations Ambassador for Community Partnership and Chairman of Al-Awazem Charitable Society, delivered a paper titled “The Role of Donors in Supporting Older Adults’ Participation in the Silver Economy.” Al-Bseis highlighted the significant demographic changes occurring globally, noting the rising proportion of older adults and the need to reconsider policies affecting this group with a focus on sustainable development rather than traditional social welfare approaches.
Al-Bseis described the “silver economy” as an economic and social framework designed to address the needs of older adults while leveraging their skills and experience. He argued that donor organizations should move beyond simply funding care services and instead promote empowerment, active involvement, and productive contributions by older individuals.
His paper outlined five key pathways through which donors could enhance support for older adults: encouraging entrepreneurship and establishing incubators tailored to senior-led ventures; financing programs that facilitate intergenerational knowledge exchange; backing innovation, assistive technologies, and digital inclusion; creating platforms for flexible work and remote consulting opportunities; and strengthening civil society organizations with long-term institutional grants.
Moreover, Al-Bseis emphasized the importance of donors adopting modern financing models, including incentives, results-based financing, and co-financing arrangements. He also called for the meaningful participation of older adults in program design and assessment through advisory committees and focus groups.
The presentation underscored that investing in the older population contributes to harnessing experience, fostering social cohesion, and promoting economic sustainability. The goal, he said, extends beyond increasing longevity to improving the quality, impact, and engagement of later life.
The forum was organized by the Bahrain Parents Care Society, the Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Social Club for Parents, and the Regional Network for Social Responsibility. It also featured the participation of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as a guest of honor, reflecting a growing regional commitment to enhancing elder care and maximizing the potential contributions of older adults within the economy.