Beijing, China – 20 March 2023 — The “Contributing to Policymaking in Occupational Safety and Health in China and the EU” project achieved a significant milestone with the convening of its first Advisory Board Meeting (ABM) at the Sheraton Beijing Lize Hotel in Beijing, China. This event, held on 20 March 2023, provided a platform for key stakeholders and experts to contribute to policymaking in occupational safety and health, fostering collaboration between China and the European Union.
The Advisory Board Meeting was meticulously structured to address critical aspects of the project’s progress, encourage insightful discussions, and pave the way for future initiatives. The event commenced with a warm welcome and introduction by Ms Wang Yi, underscoring the importance of the ABM in shaping the trajectory of the EU-China OSH Project.
Dr Stefan Hussy, Director General of the DGUV and Chair of the Advisory Board, delivered opening remarks expressing gratitude for the commitment and ownership demonstrated by the implementing partners, namely the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) and the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr Hussy highlighted the ABM’s role in providing guidance, ensuring accountability, and conducting a mid-point review of the project’s achievements and interventions.
Dr Gregor Kemper, Director of International Relations at DGUV, offered a comprehensive recap of the project’s implementation progress, emphasizing its critical mid-point. With over 180 reported accidents from enterprises, Dr Kemper explored the importance of encouraging and improving accident reporting and ensuring that efforts and achievements are adequately documented and publicised.
The Advisory Board engaged in robust discussions on key topics, including measures and policies to incentivize accident reporting for high-quality data collection, the involvement of stakeholders like ACFTU in post-project preparation of OSH policies, joint analysis of project data for evidence-based preventive measures, and a visibility and dissemination plan encompassing websites and final conferences in China and the EU.
Key participants included representatives from DGUV, MEM, CDC, and Occupational Health (OH) Partners. Mr. Liu Weimin from MEM and a representative from CDC provided valuable insights into their commitment to data collection, stakeholder involvement, and the significance of joint data analysis for informed policymaking.
As the Advisory Board Meeting concluded, consensus was reached on the adoption of the next Board Meeting, reaffirming the commitment to advancing OSH policies and practices in both China and the European Union.
The EU-China OSH Project remains dedicated to its mission of fostering collaboration and implementing smart prevention strategies for the enhancement of occupational safety and health.
