Discussions focused on procedures to prevent overlapping social security contributions, how to aggregate contribution periods, the management of beneficiaries and information sharing between agencies overseeing bilateral social security agreements.

The delegation, led by Viet Nam Social Security’s Deputy Director General Le Hung Son, participated in the 41st ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Executive Board Meeting.

The meeting was hosted in Manila from November 25-27, 2024 by the GSIS, SSS and other Filipino social security bodies.

The delegation, led by Viet Nam Social Security’s Deputy Director General Le Hung Son, participates in the 41st ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Executive Board Meeting in Manila from November 25-27, 2024.

The Viet Nam Social Security’s officials along with their partner agencies, agreed to continue discussions on the possibility of signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to exchange best practices on implementing bilateral social security agreements.

The collaboration aims to create a legal framework and strengthen cooperation not only between the two nations but also foster connections with other countries in the region.

That aligns with ASSA’s goal of promoting intra-regional cooperation to safeguard social security for migrant workers.

During the conference, the delegation also presented to ASSA members on the organisational model and the application of information technology in the Viet Nam Social Security’s inspection processes.

The significant achievements made in the inspection activities, particularly the ongoing efforts to improve inspection and ensure workers' rights, were highly praised at the conference.

The Viet Nam Social Security received the ASSA President's Innovation Award for the 2023-24 term in inspection and examination work, ensuring workers' rights.

Additionally, Son also participated in the ASSA delegation leaders' session, where solutions for the association's growth in the new phase were discussed.

The Viet Nam Social Security receives the ASSA President's Innovation Award for the 2023-24 term in inspection and examination work, ensuring workers' rights.

The ASSA member organisations reaffirmed their commitment to achieving sustainable social security, with a focus on environmental protection.

They also agreed to enhance cooperation to ensure social security for migrant workers and to improve service quality for citizens in the field of social welfare.

The 41st ASSA Conference, themed “Navigating the Future of Social Security in ASEAN: Integration, Innovation and Inclusion”, included specialised presentations and experience-sharing sessions led by ASSA member organisations, the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In response to challenges such as ageing populations, increasing migration within ASEAN countries and growing complexities in climate change, conference delegates from ASEAN member organisations agreed to pursue social security policies that were innovative and interconnected.

The policies must be inclusive, covering citizens of all ages, professions and genders to ensure no one is left behind.

The ASSA Executive Board also discussed criteria for becoming an official or observer member, proposed the creation of a permanent ASSA Secretariat to maintain continuous operations and agreed on the content and methods for signing the ASSA’s sustainable commitment.

During the meeting, Ahmad Zulquarnain Onn, CEO of Malaysia's Workers' Emergency Fund and President of ASSA for 2023-24, handed over the role of ASSA President for the 2024-25 term to Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso, President and CEO of the Philippines Social Security System.

The ASSA Executive Board also nominated Haji MD Adfarul Haji Maz Adanan, CEO of Brunei's Workers' Trust Fund, as Vice President for the 2024-25 term.

ASSA leaders also confirmed that the 42nd ASSA Executive Board Meeting would take place in Brunei in November 2025, with the theme "Acting Together – Reforming for a Secure Future for All."

The proposal to form an association, to be known as the ASEAN Social Security Association or ASSA, was put forward by the Indonesian National Social Security Association sometime in September 1995.

The rationale for the proposal was to establish a regional body representing all social security organisations of ASEAN member countries. In view of the similarity of the objectives, programmes and activities of ASEAN social security organisations, ASSA would provide a forum for senior officials to meet regularly. Through the establishment of the ASSA, meaningful regional co-operation is fostered among the social security organisations, especially in the area of training, research and development.