ALSN Expert Forum 2026
The Manpower Research and Statistics Department (MRSD) of Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower debuts the ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network (ALSN) to strengthen regional cooperation on labour market intelligence, in the lead-up to Singapore’s 2027 ASEAN Chairmanship.
Launch of the ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network (ALSN)
As AI, the green transition, and new modes of work reshape jobs and in-demand skills, Singapore is leading the establishment of the ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network (ALSN), a regional initiative that brings together labour statisticians from ASEAN Member States to strengthen how countries understand and adapt to changes in their workforces.
ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General H.E San Lwin and Ministry of Manpower’s Permanent Secretary Stanley Loh launching the ALSN
The network’s first edition of its inaugural Expert Forum was held at Sheraton Towers Singapore from 27th to 29th October 2026, with its first day of activities open to international and academic partners, including the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General H.E San Lwin, the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Chief Statistician Ritash Sarna, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely.
The Forum’s Keynote Panel Discussion featured insights from OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely, ILO Chief Statistician Ritash Sarna, MRSD Director Ang Boon Heng, and ASEAN Secretariat’s Mega Irena
Significance of the ALSN
The ALSN is the first of its scale and function, bringing together interested Member States to develop, adapt, and test methods and tools which address shared labour market measurement challenges.
The
ASEAN Labour Statistics Office, chaired by
Ang Boon Heng, will coordinate ALSN’s programmes and initiatives.
Fang Shun Wu will oversee the Office as Head of Office and Executive Secretary.
The
ALSN Knowledge Portal (https://aseanlsn.org/) will serve as the repository for methods, documents and best practices for collaboration among members. The
Co-Creation Incubator Projects are an ALSN flagship initiative which aim to bring ASEAN labour statisticians together to develop practical ways of identifying and measuring changes in the workforce.
The Network, ALSN Knowledge Portal, and ALSN Co-Creation Incubator projects will not only help Member States engage in knowledge exchange and develop approaches suited to their national needs but will also provide stronger statistical evidence to the Ministry of Manpower to better support the local workforce in their career journeys.
As Singapore prepares for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, ALSN will continue to expand these collaborative initiatives and equip member states with sharper analytical tools to navigate the future of work together.
