In July 2026, the Philippine Department of Health launched a new National Framework for the Prevention of Asbestos-Related Diseases, establishing a national policy direction for preventing asbestos-related diseases, strengthening awareness of asbestos regulations, and promoting coordinated efforts to prevent them.

Across Asia and the Pacific, where asbestos-containing materials are still manufactured and used, many types of workers are at risk. Women, migrant workers, informal workers, children, older people, and persons with disabilities are affected by asbestos exposure, often outside formal employment settings, including domestic and care environments, community infrastructure, and disaster response and recovery. 

Climate change is exacerbating environmental hazards globally, including the risks of asbestos exposure. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and the interplay between aging and deteriorating infrastructure, often contaminated with asbestos, is endangering public health.

In Phnom Penh, an independent economic impact assessment report was released, recommending a comprehensive ban on asbestos in Cambodia.

16 representatives from six Asia-Pacific nations – Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Fiji, Indonesia, and Malaysia – travelled to Sydney to participate in the 2026 Asbestos Conference.

Ban asbestos campaigners in Malaysia have united to form a ban asbestos network. This coalition comprises trade unions, consumer associations, and health civil society organisations that have come together to form a unified voice in support of the Malaysian government’s efforts to enact a ban on asbestos.