XXIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work: Shaping Change

A historic landmark decision

Since the previous World Congress, the International Labour Conference at its 110th Session in June 2022 took the landmark decision of amending the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) to include “a safe and healthy working environment” as a new fundamental right, and to designate the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) as fundamental Conventions.

Shaping change

After the unprecedented global health crisis caused by COVID-19, the world has realized that a human-centred, inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery is not possible without sound national occupational safety and health standards, policies and infrastructures. These should be developed through social dialogue and with the active engagement of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, drawing on scientific and technical knowledge.
The WCSHW offers a unique platform to show case the latest technical work of the ILO in occupational safety and health at work, as well as to inform about new trends and developments on this area, namely on international labour standards and guidelines. The World Congress is a space to build alliances and to interact with the international OSH community, namely with OSH organizations, academia, and regulators of all regions. It is, therefore, a unique opportunity to draw all eyes to this fundamental principle and right at work.

ILO activities

As co-organizer, the ILO has an important participation all along the event through different activities and various global partners and will host numerous activities, such as side events, technical sessions and symposia. Moreover, the ILO report on the occasion of the World Congress will be presented. Participants are kindly invited to visit the ILO booth to learn more about ILO’s work and publications.
The XXIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work will serve as an excellent opportunity to share and exchange knowledge and experience, as well as chart a course to tackle existing and newly emerging issues regarding the safety, health and wellbeing of all.

This year, we will come together in Sydney to debate and find the optimal solutions to make the world of work safer and healthier. We are looking forward to your active participation.