Senegal: OCI Partners for Dakar World Congress Occupational Safety Health 2027

• Dakar will host the 24th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work from April 26-30, 2027, marking a first for Africa.
• Senegal recently signed an agreement with the Islamic Labour Centre (ILC) of the OCI in Baku, making OCI a strategic partner for the event.
• The partnership will focus on digitalization, artificial intelligence, new worker risks, research, and technical cooperation.
• Discussions at the congress will cover AI, mental health, climate change, and new forms of employment, beyond traditional workplace accidents.
• The event, organized with ILO and ISSA, is a major diplomatic, social, and scientific milestone for Senegal, influencing future OSH legislation.

Lawyers and compliance officers, particularly those operating within Senegal and across the African continent, should closely monitor the outcomes and declarations emanating from the 2027 World Congress in Dakar.

Dakar is set to host a pivotal international gathering focused on workplace safety and health in April 2027, positioning itself as a global center for these critical discussions. This significant event, officially known as the 24th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, will take place from April 26 to 30, 2027. Preparations for the Dakar World Congress Occupational Safety Health 2027 have recently been bolstered by a key strategic alliance.

On September 4, 2026, as reported by RTS, Senegal formalized an agreement in Baku with the Islamic Labour Centre (ILC), an entity under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OCI). This protocol was signed by Azer Bayramov, the Director General of the ILC, and Mamadou Lamine Diante, who serves as Senegal's Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Public Service Reform. Through this accord, the OCI has officially become a strategic partner for the upcoming congress.

This marks a historic occasion for the continent, as Minister Diante highlighted that the organization of such a global congress in Dakar represents a first for Africa. The event is expected to draw participants from numerous countries, fostering a broad international dialogue on the evolving landscape of professional health and safety. Alongside Senegalese authorities and the Social Security Fund, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) are actively involved in organizing this major international forum, known as the OIT AISS Congrès Dakar.

The strategic OCI partenariat sécurité travail Dakar is designed to address the profound impact of technological advancements on the professional sphere. A core focus of this collaboration will be the effects of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) on the world of work. Beyond theoretical discussions, the partnership outlines concrete actions in research, technical cooperation, and the development of effective responses to emerging risks that workers face in contemporary environments.

Azer Bayramov, representing the Islamic Labour Centre, underscored the critical importance of proactive prevention measures and the systematic sharing of knowledge among nations. The ILC's objective through this collaboration is to contribute significantly to the creation of safer workplaces that are better adapted to the rapid transformations occurring globally. The agenda for the 24e Congrès mondial SST is notably comprehensive, extending beyond traditional concerns of workplace accidents.

Discussions are slated to delve into cutting-edge issues such as the role of IA sécurité santé travail Afrique, the growing importance of mental health in the workplace, the implications of climate change for occupational safety, and the challenges and opportunities presented by new forms of employment. These diverse topics signal a forward-looking approach to occupational safety and health, indicating areas where future legislative and regulatory frameworks are likely to evolve.

For Senegal, the upcoming Sénégal Congrès mondial SST 2027 transcends a mere academic or industry gathering; it represents a significant diplomatic, social, and scientific milestone. The congress offers Dakar a unique opportunity to assume a central and influential role in international discourse concerning the future trajectory of work and the comprehensive protection of workers worldwide. This event is poised to shape global best practices and policy recommendations.

Lawyers and compliance officers, particularly those operating within Senegal and across the African continent, should closely monitor the outcomes and declarations emanating from the 2027 World Congress in Dakar. The in-depth discussions on digitalization, artificial intelligence, mental health, and the evolving nature of employment are highly likely to inform and influence future occupational safety and health legislation and compliance standards. This international forum serves as a clear indicator of impending shifts in regulatory focus and best practices, necessitating proactive adaptation from legal and compliance professionals.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the outcomes of the 2027 World Congress in Dakar, as its discussions on digitalization, AI, mental health, and new employment forms are likely to influence future occupational safety and health legislation and compliance standards in Senegal and potentially across the African continent. This event signals upcoming shifts in regulatory focus and best practices that will require proactive adaptation.

Source: Original reporting via RTS