A thought-provoking forum was held in Sydney on August 24 about the global campaign to stop diseases caused by silica and asbestos.

The Cambodian government has released details about how a proposed asbestos ban will come into effect, including details for action, a timeline for a ban and management of related issues.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1,661 people die from asbestos disease in Indonesia every year, including 1,368 lung cancer cases and 225 mesothelioma cases. Yet, according to health system statistics, there have been no asbestos deaths and just six asbestos compensation claims.

A proposal by Australia and Switzerland aimed to prevent small numbers of Parties (mostly companies who sell chemicals) from blocking their listing on the Rotterdam Convention.

The Cambodian Minister of Labor and Vocational Training and the Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia discussed moving toward prohibition or elimination of asbestos use in Cambodia from 2025.

In a major breakthrough for the global campaign to eliminate asbestos related diseases in Asia, the Cambodian Government has this week announced it will stop asbestos use in 2025.