The 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, the largest international event focused on the prevention of workplace harm, has kicked off in Sydney on Monday, 27 November.
With its theme “Shaping Change- collaborating for a healthier and safer world of work,” the event is expected to convene thousands of industry leaders from all over the world from 27 to 30 November at the International Convention Centre in Sydney
The event focuses on working together for a better future, a changing world of work, as well as how to future-proof against ongoing and re-emerging risks.
The forum was made possible through a collaboration that involves the United Nations International Labour Organisation, the International Social Security Association, and SafeWork NSW.
It is intended to serve as a unique platform that will facilitate the exchange of global information and insights among experts in work health and safety, representatives from enterprises, workers, social partners, and policymakers from governments.
Throughout the four-day event, over 3,000 delegates can attend more than 30 symposia, three keynote sessions and six technical sessions with panellists from across countries, industries, and professions.
Government delegates expected at the event include representation from Europe and North America, as well as Uganda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Swaziland in Africa, and India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in Asia.
The event seeks to offer a fellowship program for people from low and lower-middle-income economies in the Asia Pacific region and beyond to participate in and improve access to global knowledge and experience.
“This is the first time Australia has hosted a World Congress on Work Health and Safety and sees decision-makers, experts, and leaders from 127 countries gather to share knowledge and collaborate on building safer workplaces across the globe,” said Trent Curtin, head of SafeWork NSW.
“High-risk Industries, such as construction, agriculture, transport, mining and manufacturing represent a quarter of all delegates, bringing together businesses, workers, and unions to work on real improvements to safety outcomes,” Curtin added.
