On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 November 2026, the conference will be held at the elegant Library of Birmingham. Located on Centenary Square in the historic city centre, this impressive venue is recognised as the largest public cultural space in Europe and offers a unique atmosphere for the conference. As always, there is an enjoyable Meet & Buffet the evening before, as well as an outstanding Gala Night.
The venue is easily reached from the airport as well as on foot from Birmingham New Street station and has a wide choice of parking garages in the immediate vicinity.
-> For the programme and registration, scroll further down!
Expect unmissable, unique, truly seminal presentations! Already, top speakers from ten different countries have come forward.
Attendees can look forward to presentations from approximately 25 to 30 distinguished speakers, truly representing all corners of the globe. These experts will share their ground-breaking insights and world-class expertise on every aspect of asbestos, including the latest advancements in science, innovative approaches, real-world experience, policy development, demolition strategies, and advocacy campaigns. Beyond the core conference, participants can expect several special additions such as an exciting excursion, Meet & Greet Buffet and a musical Gala Night, all designed to foster engagement and enjoyment among colleagues from around the world.
While the conference is always geared to asbestos professionals across borders and sectors, asbestos victims and victim organisations are welcomed too – this year especially.
Stands
During the conference, all the stands will be aligned along the Library’s expansive windows on the first floor, offering beautiful daylight, immediate contact with the attendees during the breaks and stunning views of the largest German Christmas Market outside of Germany and Austria, on Centenary Square. Would you like one? Email waterman@globalasbestosforum.org.
Prices
A) Day Zero, 15 November 2026: the Meet & Greet Dinner Buffet from 19:00 to 22:00 hours in the beautiful Sonata Suite at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on 2 Bridge Street. It’s a hop and a skip across from the Library. Ideal to get together informally and have a great dinner with the best of global company. € 85,–
B) Day One, 16 November 2026: Exciting excursion (TBA), followed by an excellent lunch, workshops and presentations at the Birmingham Library on Centenary Square: € 350,-.
C) Gala Night on Day One, with three course dinner and fabulous musical entertainment, at the Birmingham Library. € 130,-.
D) Day Two, 17 November 2026: the classic conference, the highlight of the year, again at the Library: € 600,-.
E) Save with an all-in ticket (ABCD): € 990,-
All prices are ex 20% English VAT.
To register: simply email to waterman@globalasbestosforum.org, indicating which events you wish to attend (A/B/C/D/E) and if you have any dietary or other special requirements. Please add your contact details and your company’s VAT number, too.
An invoice will then be sent to you within a week. If you would rather pay by credit card than a (preferred) bank transfer, a PayPal invoice will be sent to you for your convenience.
Registration is concluded on receipt of full payment. The Global Asbestos Forum reserves the right to refuse admission (in which case any payment will be returned). Speakers, presentations and locations may be subject to change.
TIME | TITLE/LOCATION |
| 19:00- 22:00 | Informal but deluxe Meet & Greet Dinner Buffet, in the beautiful Sonata Suite at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on 2 Bridge Street – it’s just across the Centenary Square from the Library. Just come as you are, meet the hardcore fans and most of the speakers, expect lots of hugs! 😊 |
TIME | SPEAKER | TITLE/LOCATION |
08:30 | Gathering in front of the Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square (Broad Street side) | |
08:45 – 11:30 | TBA: Excursion | Including a few presentations (TBA) |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Deluxe lunch at the Library | Lunch and time for a quick visit to the German Christmas market right outside! |
| 12:30 – 15:00 | Round table debates, interspersed with presentations. Each round table to have a specific topic or question for (comparative) debate. Already confirmed (more to come):
| |
| 15:00 – 15:20 | Break with special refreshments | |
| 15:20 – 17:00 | Continuation, rounded off with a public debate between the audience and the speakers | |
– | Time to visit the German Christmas Market 😊 | |
| 18:30 – 19:00 | Gathering for drinks and music at the Library, first floor | |
| 19:00 – 22:00 | Festive Gala Night Dinner at the Library (same rooms) | Expect a very delicious three-course meal, accompanied by a humorous quartet that knows how to hit the right notes 😊 |
You can switch quickly and quietly between the simultaneous presentations in the afternoon, so you can choose from sessions A and B exactly what interests you the most on the day!
TIME | SPEAKER | TITLE/LOCATION |
08:00-08:30 |
| Registration and refreshments at the Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square (Broad Street side) Many stands and all-day photo exhibition, by Tony Rich (Asbestorama) |
08:30-08:40 | Dr. Yvonne Waterman LLM FFAAM | Welcome and introductions of the Chairpersons for the afternoon sessions: Sara Mason and Wayne Bagnall MBE |
08:40-08:55 | Liz Darlison (Mesothelioma UK) | Shining a light on hidden cohorts |
08:55-09:15 | TBA (renowned scientist) | Mesothelioma deaths rising despite decades of asbestos regulation |
09:15-09:35 | Prof. Daniel Murphy (University of Glasgow) | What if the statistics are even worse than we thought? Much worse? |
09:35-09:55 | Julian Branch (Prevent Cancer Now) | On the release of asbestos fibres in old asbestos cement water pipes |
09:55-10:10 | Jonathan Grant | Is the UK’s regulatory approach to asbestos management fit for purpose? |
10:10-10:30 | Break with refreshments | |
10:30-10:50 | Andre Zwanenburg (The Asbestos Institute) | Asbestos in urban buildings: a global health crisis |
10:50-11:10 | Sean Fitzgerald (FACTS) | Seeking harmony in asbestos definitions |
11:10-11:20 | Prof. Jukka Takala (ICOH) | Proper policy follows proper data |
11:20-11:35 | Ian Harper (Harper Safety Risk Management Ltd) | The double hazard of a firefighter in Ukraine |
11:35-11:55 | Dr. Terri-Ann Berry (Auckland University of Technology) | Keynote Speech. The definitive research on hidden dangers: asbestos in play sand |
11:55-12:05 |
| Group photo on the staircase |
12:05-13:00 |
| Deluxe lunch break NB: You can switch quietly between sessions A and B as often as you like! |
Session A | Main room | Asbestos & Its impact on society |
13:00-13:20 | Robert McAllister (FAMANZ) | The challenges of border controls: how to keep asbestos containing products out |
13:20-13:40 | TBA | TBA |
13:40-14:00 | TBA | The global impact of the WHO Collaborating Centres |
14:00-14:20 | TBA | TBA |
14:20-14:40 | Break with refreshments | |
14:40-15:00 | Sven de Mulder (Flemish OVAM) | The impact of asbestos on Flemish society |
15:00-15:20 | Dr. Rick van der Zwan (ASSEA) | TBA |
15:20-15:40 | TBA (EU MEP) | |
15:40-16:00 | TBA (APHEDA) | TBA |
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Session B | Break-out room | Asbestos & Professional perspectives |
13:00-13:20 | Simon Cleaver (Asbestos Cleaning UK Ltd) | A new process for cleaning asbestos from demolition waste, ACM and soil |
13:20-13:40 | Eurofins | TBA |
13:40-14:00 | Mark Wilkes (Greenwall) | Two innovations: the Asbestoprobe and the Asbestorobot |
14:00-14:20 | TBA | TBA |
14:20-14:40 | Break with refreshments | |
14:40-15:00 | European Demolition Institute | TBA on demolition |
15:00-15:20 | TBA (Australian speaker) | TBA on an innovation |
15:20-15:40 | Paul Beaumont (ASG) | The need for an Asbestos Surveyors Guild |
15:40-16:00 | TBA | TBA: a very special asbestos removal project |
15:40-16:00 | Philip Hibbs (Hibbs & Associates Pty) | TBA: a challenging case study involving naturally occurring asbestos |
16:00-16:15 | Break and return to the Main Room | |
16:15-16:45 | Sara Mason & Wayne Bagnall MBE | Plenary Q & A between the audience and all the speakers |
16:45-17:00 | Dr. Yvonne Waterman LLM FFAAM | Presentation of the Global Asbestos Forum Award and the Closing Speech |
