On the morning of July 7, in Da Nang city, the 13th ASEAN-OSHNET Forum (ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network) (AOC-13) opened with the theme "Strengthening digital transformation in occupational safety and health management in ASEAN towards ASEAN Vision 2045".
The event was chaired by the Ministry of Home Affairs, gathering about 120 delegates from 11 ASEAN member countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN+3 partners, the International Labor Organization, the International Labor Inspection Association and representatives of many businesses in the region.
The forum takes place at a time when Vietnam is taking on the role of Chairman of the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network for the 2026-2027 term. This is the third time Vietnam has hosted the AOC Forum, after 2006 and 2016.
Immediately after AOC-13, the 27th ASEAN-OSHNET Coordinating Committee Conference will continue to take place in Da Nang for two days, July 8 and 9. At this conference, Thailand will officially transfer the ASEAN-OSHNET Chairmanship role to Vietnam; Brunei Darussalam will take on the Vice Chairmanship role.
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy said that ASEAN currently has more than 350 million workers, is one of the dynamic centers of production, services and innovation in the world. However, the region still faces many challenges regarding occupational accidents, occupational diseases, and occupational accident insurance for the informal sector and foundational labor.
According to Deputy Minister Cao Huy, artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things and digital platforms are opening up opportunities to forecast, prevent and promptly handle occupational safety risks. Vietnam is promoting the construction of a National Database on Occupational Safety and Health, an online Occupational Accident Reporting Portal; and at the same time researching and amending the Law on Occupational Safety and Health and completing the Occupational Accident and Health Insurance Fund.
The AOC-13 Forum focused on discussing major orientations such as building an ASEAN common policy framework on digital transformation in occupational safety and health; sharing good practices on the application of big data, AI, digital platforms; ensuring comprehensive digital transformation, not leaving informal workers, platform workers and small and medium-sized enterprises behind.
Taking on the role of Chairman of the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network for the 2026-2027 term demonstrates Vietnam's commitment and proactiveness in regional cooperation, towards a safer, healthier and more sustainable working environment for workers.
