The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Opinion

Revolutionise health and safety with digitalisation

Opinion article by Samina Kadwani, Director of UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office, published in The Bangkok Post ― 28 April 2025.

As the world of work continues to transform, shaped by climate change, digital disruption, and rising inequality, there's one thing that never changes: protecting the health and safety of each and every worker, anywhere.

Almost three million people die every year from work-related diseases and injuries, the International Labour Organization reports. The number is increasing. In a dynamic, diverse region like East Asia and the Pacific, where fast-growing infrastructure and industry are colliding with weak health systems and climate hazards, the need for greater protections is urgent and clear.

The good news? More people are starting to rethink how we embed safety and health into the heart of development. From donor agencies to governments and private contractors, there's a rising recognition that people-centred digital systems aren't add-ons; they're the foundation for safe and sustainable development.

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