In this file photo, the logo of the World Health Organization is seen at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. (PHOTO / AP)

The Western Pacific is "the fastest aging (region) in the world," which presents both challenges and opportunities to this region, the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific region said on Tuesday.

"Today, there are already more than 240 million people over 65 years in the Western Pacific, and this number is expected to double by 2050," Takeshi Kasai, the WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, told reporters in a virtual media briefing.

Today, there are already more than 240 million people over 65 years in the Western Pacific, and this number is expected to double by 2050

Takeshi Kasai, The WHO regional director for the Western Pacific

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The rapid trend "presents health, social and economic challenges" to the Western Pacific region, Kasai said.

"But they can also turn into opportunities when societies become more age-friendly: people who live longer and healthier can be active and contribute to their societies - through paid or unpaid work, or consuming and investing, or passing down knowledge and traditions, and acting as a caregiver for young family members," he said.

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Kasai said this kind of transformation takes time, stressing the need "to get started as soon as possible.”

He said the regional committee, WHO Pacific Region's highest governing body, will consider a regional actional plan to promote healthy aging.

"Now, this item is about transforming not only health systems but also societies," he added.

According to WHO, the Western Pacific region is home to almost 1.9 billion people across 37 countries and areas.