On 28 April 2026, representatives from governments, industry, civil society, global leaders, policymakers, and social partners gathered in Berlin to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Labour Organization’s Vision Zero Fund (VZF), according to a press release by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The event reflected on a decade of progress in preventing fatal and serious occupational accidents and diseases within supply chains. It was organized jointly with Siemens and the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Speakers emphasized the collective action model underpinning the Fund. The anniversary highlighted both past achievements and the Fund’s future direction.
Initiated by the G7, the Vision Zero Fund has, over the past ten years, strengthened occupational safety and health (OSH) systems in high-risk sectors, particularly in developing countries. It forms part of the ILO flagship programme Safety & Health for All. The Fund has helped build a culture of prevention and collaboration among governments, employers, and workers. It addresses unsafe working conditions across global supply chains. Its model brings multiple actors together to design coordinated approaches.
Bärbel Bas, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, underscored Germany’s ongoing commitment to the initiative, stating: “We stand for this attitude: every work accident is avoidable if all those responsible pull together.” ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo delivered a video message noting that “Safer supply chains are not only necessary, they are within reach. The Vision Zero Fund has shown what is possible. With the right partnerships, we can go even further.” Beate Andrees, ILO Assistant Director-General for the Regions, explained that no single actor can address the root causes of unsafe working conditions alone. Judith Wiese, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, highlighted the role of private sector engagement. Participants toured a photo exhibition and engaged with a virtual reality experience showcasing the Fund’s field work.
The event showcased the Fund’s scale of operations since its inception, with key achievements including:
- 8 million+ workers benefiting directly and indirectly from VZF interventions
- Almost 3 million workers reached through training, capacity building, and awareness-raising
- 18,000+ workers specifically trained using VZF methodologies
- 160+ knowledge and training products developed to improve workplace safety
A roundtable featuring representatives from the European Commission, the French Ministry of Labour, the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), and Nestlé discussed the Fund’s evolution and remaining challenges. Parallel thematic sessions explored strategic opportunities to scale the VZF’s work. Participants agreed that, amid shifting global trade dynamics and climate-related occupational risks, the Fund’s collective action model is more relevant now than ever. To mark the occasion, the initiative officially published its commemorative anniversary magazine, Vision Zero Fund: A Decade of Action – The Power of Partnerships in Building Safer and Healthier Supply Chains. The publication offers an in-depth look at the statistics and collaborative efforts that have defined the Fund’s journey.
