KUALA LUMPUR, 6 July 2023: YAB Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, today officiated the 10th International Social Wellbeing Conference 2023 (ISWC 2023) in the presence of EPF Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials, EPF Board and Investment Panel.   This premier event brings together esteemed speakers from both local and international spheres, specialising in the realm of social protection.

The Prime Minister also launched the new version of EPF’s i-Akaun Application, which incorporates innovative and interactive features to enhance the user experience. The upgraded platform provides a range of tools for members to perform EPF related transactions including the new retirement savings calculator to help members assess in advance whether they will have enough EPF savings when they retire.

The two-day conference, which started yesterday on 5 July 2023, is jointly organised with the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM), and the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The conference attracted more than 600 delegates in attendance and over 1,500 virtually, comprising the country’s policy makers, ministries, agencies, and stakeholders from various backgrounds, and members of the public.

In his welcoming address, EPF Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said, “The ISWC 2023 is an exceedingly timely event as the social wellbeing in Malaysia has reached a critical juncture where social protection is currently too narrow. It is a privilege for us to have the YAB Prime Minister himself officiating this year’s conference, signalling the significance of ISWC and our shared commitment to shaping a better nation for all Malaysians.

“Social protection holds within it the power to transform lives, bringing solace and prosperity to the most vulnerable members of our society. It is an empowering force that fosters resilience, and by weaving comprehensive support systems into the fabric of our society, we ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. It is hoped that through this conference we are able to discuss and find solutions in creating a society that not only prioritises economic growth and material prosperity, but also places paramount importance on social wellbeing.”

This year’s theme “Changing the Game: Building the World We Want” focuses on addressing critical gaps in social security coverage and advocating for the fundamental rights to social protection. In his opening address yesterday, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah emphasised that the ISWC is driven by a single purpose to improve the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities. He added that the imperative to leave no one behind is deeply ingrained in the country’s collective consciousness and embedded in the pursuit of a just and inclusive society.

Speaking from the EPF context, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah said, “The EPF is putting in substantial measures, with a clear focus on securing Malaysians’ future retirement wellbeing. As the EPF’s membership is now reaching a large network of 15.8 million members, we strive to implement long-term strategies that seek to create a positive impact and to foster wellbeing, especially among the elderly. Among others, the EPF is now focused on the extension of EPF coverage and to enhance members’ retirement savings adequacy.”

The conference, which was originally called the International Social Security Conference before it was renamed to the International Social Wellbeing Conference in 2018, has evolved and adapted to the changing landscape of social wellbeing. Since 1998, the conference aims to highlight the prevailing trends impacting Malaysia and to present novel ideas and perspectives in addressing national concerns. In 2021, the ISWC has transformed to support nation-building efforts, aligning itself with the objectives of the Malaysia’s Social Protection Council (MySPC).

Among the speakers at this year’s conference include Tan Sri Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director of Planetary Health, Sunway University; Professor Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Senior Adviser at Khazanah Research Institute; Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at University of Oxford; Rana Faroohar, Global Economic Analyst, CNN and Global Business Columnist Financial Times; Dr. Amjad Rabi, Social Security Economist; and Dr. Stephen Kidd, Senior Social Policy Analyst, Development Pathways.

In addition to the main event, ISWC 2023 offers attendees a range of attractions, including EPF kiosks and booths hosted by conference partners such as BNY Mellon, Amundi Asset, Principal Asset, MBSB Bank, Maybank, RHB Bank and Public Bank.

Issued by the EPF Media Desk
Corporate Affairs Department
6 July 202