UKATA was honoured to actively participate in the prestigious Global Asbestos Forum Conference 2025, held on 13 and 14 November at the historic Grand Hotel Terminus in the beautiful city of Bergen, Norway. This year’s Forum once again served as a unique opportunity to bring together world leading experts, scientists, policymakers, legal professionals, activists and training organisations from across the globe, united by a shared mission to reduce asbestos related harm.
While the programme was rich with technical insight and forward-looking debate, what truly defined the event was the strong sense of community, collaboration and long standing friendship that continues to flourish among delegates who return year after year. The Forum has evolved into more than a conference. It has become a global meeting place where personal connections strengthen professional ambitions, and where colleagues from more than 20 countries work together in an atmosphere of mutual support and shared purpose.
Day One: Community, Culture and Collaboration
Day one began not in a lecture hall, but through the streets of Bergen itself. Delegates gathered at the Grand Hotel Terminus and set off on a guided walk through the historic centre of the city. The route took attendees past the harbour, the UNESCO listed Bryggen quarter and several sites of cultural and professional interest. This relaxed and enjoyable start to the conference offered the perfect opportunity for international colleagues to reconnect, catch up on the year’s developments and forge new introductions in a setting that encouraged openness and camaraderie.
The walk concluded at the Maritime Museum, where the morning’s presentations provided a strong foundation for the discussions that would follow. Sean Fitzgerald (FACTS) delivered an accessible but comprehensive overview of asbestos fundamentals in Asbestos 101. Linda Marie Bjelde (Urban Reuse Norway AS, BEVAR) offered insights into a major asbestos removal project, and Eirik Rudi Wærner (AsbestForum) spoke about asbestos management challenges at Bergen’s courthouse. These sessions helped set the tone for two days of open, multidisciplinary discussion rooted in real world experience.
Delegates then continued on foot via a scenic route to the Grieghallen, enjoying both the surroundings and the informal networking opportunities that naturally arise when professionals from around the world come together outside a formal setting. A buffet lunch offered further opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet newer members of the international asbestos prevention community.
The afternoon centred on a series of structured round table debates interspersed with focused presentations. Professor Kevin Bampton spoke about improving asbestos and political awareness, followed by contributions from Kari Mork, Mat Werfel and Paul Sandanger on workplace improvements, global awareness initiatives and struggles for justice. UKATA Director, Adam Harding, alongside Tom Eriksen (Eriksen HazMat Survey AS), contributed a key session on improving training standards, highlighting practical strategies for raising global competencies in asbestos management.
Later sessions explored trade union achievements, the efforts of activist groups and the significant challenges of rebuilding Ukraine. The day concluded with a lively plenary debate that brought together speakers and audience members to summarise findings, share perspectives and reflect collectively on the path ahead.
The atmosphere of the event was further strengthened by the Gala Night. Delegates enjoyed a three-course dinner accompanied by beautiful live string performances, creating an uplifting and memorable evening that celebrated friendship as much as professional unity.
Day Two: A Global Perspective on Asbestos Challenges
Day two opened with registration, exhibitions and an official welcome from Dr Yvonne Waterman. The morning programme delivered a powerful sequence of keynote and specialist presentations. Phillip Hazelton emphasised the essential role of international collaboration, followed by sessions exploring asbestos release during abatement and fires, Heather Von St James’ inspiring personal journey, scientific clarity from Sean Fitzgerald, the implications of asbestos cement infrastructure presented by Professor Arthur Frank and Markus Sommer’s discussion of the hazards created by failed substitute materials.
Professor Jukka Takala delivered a compelling keynote on the most recent global data for asbestos related disease and mortality, before the Forum moved into its awards presentations and group photography.
The afternoon breakout sessions provided an opportunity for deeper exploration of specific themes. In Session A, chaired by UKATA Director Adam Harding, discussions centred on societal impacts, including misconduct within the industry, capacity building in low-income regions and justice for affected communities. Session B focused on regulatory and technical perspectives such as European metrology harmonisation, naturally occurring asbestos and heritage building remediation. Session C, chaired by UKATA Chief Operating Officer Craig Evans, examined state of the art developments including innovations in AI driven databanks, competence-based exposure reduction and asbestos denaturing technologies.
The breadth and quality of contributions demonstrated the ongoing global commitment to enhancing asbestos safety and prevention, as well as the essential need for sustained international cooperation.
UKATA’s Involvement and International Engagement
UKATA was represented by Director Adam Harding, Chief Operating Officer Craig Evans and Operations Manager Sasha Brailsford. Across the two days, the team engaged with delegates, contributed to key sessions, managed the UKATA exhibition stand and held promising discussions regarding future collaboration, international membership and partnership opportunities.
Beyond the formal proceedings, the team valued the chance to reconnect with international colleagues who have become trusted partners and friends over years of shared attendance. From the initial city walk to the funicular trip, sightseeing and social events, the sense of community and mutual respect that underpins the Forum was evident throughout. These informal moments play a significant role in strengthening the collective resolve to reduce asbestos related harm worldwide.
Quote from UKATA Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans
Reflecting on the event, Craig Evans said:
“This conference served as a powerful reminder that asbestos remains a global issue, not simply a historical one. It was a privilege to spend time with so many dedicated professionals who are working tirelessly to protect future generations. Bergen was a beautiful location and it was wonderful to reconnect with international colleagues who I now consider good friends, as well as to build new relationships that will support our expanding international work.
For anyone who has not attended before, this is an event I genuinely look forward to every year. The collaboration, the shared purpose and the strong sense of global community make it incredibly valuable both professionally and personally. Working alongside our international partners continues to strengthen our mission to raise asbestos awareness worldwide.”
A Shared Vision for Global Progress
Hosted by Dr Yvonne Waterman and supported by AsbestForum, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and UKATA, this year’s Global Asbestos Forum brought together experts from more than 20 countries. Through powerful testimonies, scientific debate, policy discussions and shared social experiences, the conference reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the ongoing risks posed by asbestos.
With almost 200 members delivering training across the UK, Europe, Asia and South America, UKATA continues to strengthen its global presence. The Association remains committed to maintaining high standards of asbestos training and working closely with members and partners to protect workers, communities and future generations from asbestos related harm.
Published on Wednesday 19th November 2025