Flags of ASEAN countries fly at Bạch Đằng Park in Sài Gòn ward, HCM City, on the occasion of the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8, 1967–2025). VNA/VNS Photo

ĐÀ NẴNG – Việt Nam is scheduled to host two major meetings of the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network (ASEAN-OSHNET) in the central city of Đà Nẵng from July 7 to 9, reaffirming its active role in promoting regional cooperation on safer and healthier workplaces.

Organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the events comprise the 13th ASEAN-OSHNET Conference (AOC-13) and the 27th ASEAN-OSHNET Coordinating Board Meeting (CBM-27), looking to advance digital transformation in occupational safety and health management in ASEAN towards the ASEAN Vision 2045.

Around 130 delegates are expected to attend, including representatives from ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, China, Japan, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI), as well as business associations and enterprises from across the region. Leaders of the Ministry of Home Affairs will deliver opening remarks at both events.

The year 2026 marks an important milestone for Việt Nam within ASEAN-OSHNET. The country has officially assumed the network's chairmanship for the 2026–2027 term from Thailand while handing over its role as the ASEAN-OSHNET Secretariat, which it held from 2023 to 2026, to Brunei – Vice Chair for the new term.

The AOC-13 on July 7 will feature four discussion sessions focusing on regional policy and governance frameworks, national experiences in digital transformation, business best practices, and the adoption of joint recommendations. Delegates will exchange experiences in applying big data, artificial intelligence, computer vision, electronic health records, virtual reality-based training and digital platforms to occupational safety and health management. Representatives of Vietnamese and ASEAN businesses will also participate in a dedicated business dialogue.

The CBM-27, scheduled for July 8–9, will review the implementation of the ASEAN-OSHNET Action Plan for 2021–2025 and finalise a new action plan for 2026–2030. Participants will also discuss cooperation under the ASEAN Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (ASEAN-BCA) and hold an open session with international partners to mobilise technical assistance and resources for the new action plan.

On the sidelines of the meetings, delegates will take part in a city tour showcasing the land, culture and people of Việt Nam.

Hosting the two events reflects Việt Nam's strong commitment to ASEAN's specialised cooperation mechanisms. It provides an opportunity to share the country's experience in developing a national occupational safety and health database and an online workplace accident reporting system as part of its broader digital transformation efforts, contributing to safer, healthier and more sustainable workplaces across ASEAN. — VNA/VNS