Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has affirmed Vietnam is working towards a sustainable and effective social security system to meet the increasing demand of people, contributing to socio-economic development.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam addresses the 35th ASEAN Social Security Association Board Meeting

He made the remarks at the 35th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Board Meeting that opened on September 18 in NhaTrang, the resort city of Khanh Hoa in central Vietnam. 

“Vietnam wishes to share experience with regional and global social security associations to create sustainable environment to develop social insurance for all workers and health insurance for all people,” Deputy Prime Minister Dam said.  

The ASSA Board Meeting, hosted by the Vietnam Social Security (VSS), brought together about 170 delegates, including ASSA President, leaders of national social security institutions and diplomats from ASEAN member states. 

The event’s main theme is the challenges and opportunities of ASEAN social security institutions in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution and free flow of labour. 

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister, Director General of VSS Nguyen Thi Minh stressed the need for ASSA members to work together for sustainable social security for all in the ASEAN Community.

“ASEAN social security is entering a new phase of development with opportunities and challenges due to the revolution 4.0 and the free flow of labour in region. Therefore, ASSA needs to have a creative approach and a long-term vision to fully use the experience and technology of the members,” said Minh.

President of ASSA Suradej Waleeittikul told the event he believed with the sharing of knowledge and experience from organizations and experts, the meeting will put forth new policies regarding social security in the context of the 4th industrial revolution and free flow of labour, contributing to building a strong, united and effective social security community in ASEAN. 

The ASSA was found in 1998 following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement in Bangkok, Thailand on February 13 that year, involving heads of social security institutions from five countries - the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Representatives from Laos and Vietnam also attended the signing ceremony as observers. Later the year, the VSS became a member of ASSA.

The association was formed to promote the development of social security in the region in consonance with the aspirations, laws and regulations of the member countries, promote regional cooperation in all areas of social security and exchange experience and information on social security.

It works in cooperation with other social security institutions in the region and East Asia, and with similar or related organisations of social security in any part of the world. It cooperates in the protection, promotion and development of social security schemes through training, seminars, consultations and dialogues, among others.

ASSA members now comprise 19 social security institutions from ten ASEAN nations. 

This is the fifth time the Vietnam Social Security has chaired the ASSA Board Meeting. It undertook the chairmanship during the 2002 – 2003 term and successfully organised the ASSA Board Meeting in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2010.-VNA