BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA), as Brunei Darussalam’s national regulator for workplace safety and health and radiation matters, has reaffirmed its commitment to the regional cooperation by participating in the ASEAN-OSHNET series of events. This event was hosted by Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW), from 2 to 4 September 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Brunei Darussalam delegation was led by Yang Mulia Haji Noryasmin bin Haji Mohd Noor, the Director of the Compliance and International Division at SHENA. Accompanying him were two officials from SHENA and two delegates from the Department of Labour, Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA). The three-day programme brought together representatives from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), representatives from Japan, South Korea, and China, alongside international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI), and the Asia Pacific Occupational Safety & Health Organization (APOSHO).

The Pre-Work Session on the Development of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Scorecard for AMS provided a thorough overview of the project. The objective of this session is to enhance the OSH Scorecard website, improving its content and user interface, while strengthening data collection practices, and benchmarking OSH performance across the region.

The 6^th ASEAN-OSHNET Awards (AOA 6) recognised companies within the AMS for exemplary OSH performance and best practices, aimed at raising the profile of OSH regionally and inspiring continuous improvement among the AMS companies. The Awards Ceremony was officiated by Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour of Thailand, who presented awards to 14 distinguished recipients. Representing Brunei Darussalam, Adinin Works & Engineering Sdn. Bhd. received the ASEAN-OSHNET Excellence Award.

The 12^th ASEAN-OSHNET Conference (AOC 12), conducted under the theme “Advancing Innovation and Technology towards Sustainable Occupational Safety and Health (OSH),” highlighted the significant role that innovation and technology play particularly through digital platforms, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and smart monitoring systems in preventing workplace accidents, promoting worker wellbeing, and ensuring enduring resilience in occupational safety and health practices. The programme featured a presentation by the ILO, a panel discussion on advancing innovation and technology for sustainable OSH and included presentations by award-winning companies.

The 26^th ASEAN-OSHNET Coordinating Board Meeting (CBM 26) provided updates on current projects and activities including associated meetings under the ASEAN-OSHNET Workplan 2021 – 2025, and initiated discussions on the ASEAN-OSHNET Workplan 2026 – 2030. During the meeting, Brunei Darussalam, through SHENA, formally confirmed its readiness to assume the responsibilities of the ASEAN-OSHNET Secretariat for the 2026 - 2029 term. Additionally, Brunei Darussalam accepted the role of Coordinator of the ASEAN Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (ASEAN-BCA) for the 2025 -2027, under the purview of the Department of Labour, MOHA.

Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour of Thailand, emphasised the importance of the ASEAN-OSHNET platform in strengthening cooperation, sharing expertise, and enhancing workplace safety standards to improve the quality of life for workers across the ASEAN region.