Asian Asbestos Conference
The Asian Asbestos Conference which was held in Bangkok, Thailand on July 26 & 27, 2006 was a resounding success, attracting more than 300 delegates including 94 speakers and delegates from North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. The presence of a large contingent of asbestos victims, experts, public health campaigners and journalists from Japan ensured that the tragic lessons learned from that country's asbestos past were not ignored
The Department of Disease Control of the Thai Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare and the Social Security Office of the Ministry of Labor were the main organizers of this landmark event, the first independent asbestos conference to be held in Thailand; co-sponsoring organizations were the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization. The smooth running of plenary and workshop sessions was a result of months of detailed planning and the presence of many dedicated members of the conference staff. Attendance by high-level Thai politicians and civil servants enabled Thai delegates to engage in one-to-one discussions on issues such as the lack of surveillance of working conditions in asbestos facilities located in rural areas. Commenting on the conference, Ms. Laurie Kazan-Allen, Coordinator of IBAS, said:
“The Asian debate on asbestos began in 2004 at the Global Asbestos Congress (GAC 2004) in Tokyo; the Bangkok conference progressed the discussion and allowed new voices to be heard. There was considerable interest amongst delegates in the availability of alternatives to replace asbestos-cement, a substance still being widely used throughout Asia.
The Bangkok Declaration on the Elimination of Asbestos and Asbestos-related Disease, adopted by delegates on July 27, called for a total ban on the use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. Judging by the opinions expressed in Bangkok, there is little doubt that the momentum for a regional asbestos ban has been boosted by the conference.”
One of the main organizers of GAC 2004, Sugio Furuya, felt that the timing of this event was serendipitous coming so soon after the WHO and the ILO declared their support for an asbestos ban; Furuya declared the conference “a great success.”
The participation in the conference of politicians from Japan and Canada ensured press. coverage in those countries. Canadian MP Pat Martin spoke out about Canada's duplicitous behavior in supporting the global asbestos lobby; his remarks were quoted in an article published in Canada on July 25, 2006 entitled: Canada tarnished by asbestos trade:
“Canada is acting like an 'international pariah' by exporting asbestos to Third World countries despite the well-known health hazards, says a Manitoba MP (Martin)…”
The Canadian asbestos industry was, Martin said, a “corporate serial killer” which exports “human misery.” The Canadian Government should, Martin urged, ban all forms of asbestos, shut down the remaining mines, provide early retirement for asbestos workers and financial assistance to affected industries and communities. Martin is also urging the government to launch a comprehensive testing and removal program.
A detailed report on the Asian Asbestos Congress will be compiled in due course.
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August 7, 2006
