At the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, held in Sydney, Australia, on 23–27 November 2023, the International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) three International Prevention Sections on Agriculture, Mining and Trade organized the technical session: "Walk the Line: One Vision Zero for All Global Supply Chains".

The session was attended by various stakeholders, including health and safety experts, representatives of ISSA member institutions, the ISSA Special Commission on Prevention, Prevention Section members, and distinguished guests. Their joint participation underscored the importance of the World Congress as a catalyst for knowledge sharing, joint innovation and transformational efforts to advance the health and safety agenda globally.

The main purpose of the session was to highlight poor working conditions and inadequate worker safety in less developed countries involved in Global Supply Chains (GSCs), and to discuss ways to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) and working conditions in GSCs, applying the Vision Zero approach. The session brought together experts from Europe, Asia and the Americas in the fields of health and safety, social security regulations, social policy, agriculture and business to share their views and knowledge on how to improve safety, health and well-being in GSCs, especially at the bottom end of GSCs in agriculture and mining and along the production line.

A key highlight of the World Congress was the announcement of the new Vision Zero Guide for Global Supply Chains developed in collaboration with ISSA as part of a joint initiative entitled "Safety, Health and Well-Being in Global Supply Chains according to VISION ZERO." This resource is an important aspect in promoting the principles of Vision Zero – a holistic approach to eliminate workplace accidents and injuries – in interconnected supply chains around the world.

During the closing ceremony, the Sydney 2023 Declaration of Commitment on ISSA Supply Chains was announced. The Declaration underscores a shared commitment to prioritizing safety, health and well-being throughout global supply chains, laying the foundation for sustained collaboration and joint action for safer and healthier workplaces around the world.

More information about the technical session: Walk the Line: One Vision Zero for All Global Supply Chains | 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work (safety2023sydney.com)