14th ASEAN+3 Labour Ministers Meeting
Overview
On August 27, 2026, the 14th ASEAN+3 Labour Ministers Meeting was held in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno attended. Under the theme “ASEAN Human Capital: Skills Qualification Recognition toward Global Recognition,” participants exchanged views and adopted a joint statement. Minister Ueno expressed the determination to continue cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea in occupational safety and health, human resources development, and responding to changes in the working environment and skills demand accompanying digitalisation, and expressed expectations for further strengthening cooperative relations. Before the meeting, Minister Ueno also visited the Philippines, held talks with senior officials of countries and international organisations in Thailand, and inspected a vocational training school.
Key points
- Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno attended the 14th ASEAN+3 Labour Ministers Meeting.
- Participants exchanged views on skills qualification recognition as the theme and adopted a joint statement.
- Minister Ueno expressed the determination to continue cooperation in promoting occupational safety and health measures and human resources development, and expressed expectations for further strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea, as well as for regional economic growth and social development.
- Minister Ueno spoke about the WorldSkills International Competition scheduled to be held in Aichi Prefecture in 2028.
Overview
The meeting was held on August 27, 2026, in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand. Under the theme “ASEAN Human Capital: Skills Qualification Recognition toward Global Recognition,” participants exchanged views on skills qualification recognition.
The ASEAN+3 Labour Ministers Meeting is a forum where ASEAN countries and Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea discuss labour issues and develop a shared understanding. It was first held in 2001 and has been held biennially since 2002.
Impact
Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno stated the importance of ASEAN countries and Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea deepening coordination and responding to changes in the working environment and skills demand resulting from digitalisation.
Minister Ueno expressed expectations that continuing cooperation in occupational safety and health measures and human resources development, and strengthening cooperative relations, would contribute to regional economic growth and social development.
Details
The meeting adopted a joint statement. Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno expressed the intention to continue cooperation on occupational safety and health measures and human resources development, and introduced information about the WorldSkills International Competition.
Before the meeting, Minister Ueno visited the Republic of the Philippines, laid flowers, held talks with the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, and inspected a vocational training school. Minister Ueno then held talks in the Kingdom of Thailand with labour-related ministers from Thailand, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea, and with the Director-General of the ILO.
Minister Ueno explained to the ministers the evolution of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), requested their understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abduction issue, and also introduced Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and food.