On 24-25 November a national conference "Polish asbestos" was organized in Warsaw by the Green Federation GAJA. The event has received the patronage of the Minister of Economy, Mr. Janusz Piechociński, who personally opened the conference.

"We are the first country in the European Union, which took up the challenge to withdraw from the use all products containing asbestos. This will help to minimize the negative health effects caused by the presence of this substance in our territory"- said during the conference, Mr. Piechociński

Vice Prime Minister stressed that the main objective of the "National Program of Asbestos Removal for years 2009-2032" is the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing products and the elimination of harmful effects on the environment. - The objectives of the program will be implemented gradually until 2032 - he said.

At the meeting over 200 representatives of Polish municipalities have met. Among the invited guests were also representatives of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, Woivodship Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management, as well as Marshal Offices and leading companies dealing with asbestos in our country.

Conference participants had a chance to listen following lectures:

1. Program Oczyszczania Kraju z Azbestu na lata 2009-2032 (POKzA) – Monika Krasuska – Ministerstwo Gospodarki, Departament Instrumentów Wsparcia
2. SYSTEM Program Priorytetowy Narodowego Funduszu Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej -  Krystian Szczepański – Wiceprezes NFOŚiGW
3. Kampania antyazbestowa - podsumowanie projektu – Agnieszka Plich – Federacja Zielonych GAJA
4. Azbest – problem na szeroką skalę – Ulrik Spannow - BAT Kartellet Dania - duńska konfederacja związków zawodowych sektora budowlanego
5. Działania w zakresie narażenia i ochrony zdrowia w ramach POKzA – Gabriela Olędzka – Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
6. Dobre praktyki w zakresie usuwania azbestu na przykładzie Gminy Szczucin –Jan Sipior – Członek Rady programowej POKzA, Wiceprezes Fundacji Ekologicznej Wolni od Azbestu
7. Wzorcowa inwentaryzacja wyrobów zawierających azbest – Beata Gładkowska-Chocian – Ekoton Sp. z o.o.
8. Obsługa Bazy Azbestowej – Wojciech Górka – administrator BA
9. Elektroniczny System Informacji Przestrzennej do monitorowania realizacji POKzA – Ewa Wilk – WGS84 Polska Sp.z o.o.
10. Zarządzanie nieruchomością z azbestem – Piotr Sobeyko-Bejnarowicz - prawnik

In addition, the meeting was an good opportunity to exchange experiences, knowledge and solutions to effective implementation of the "National Program of Asbestos Removal for years 2009-2032", both locally and nationwide.

The conference was organized as part of a 3-year summary of the project "Antiasbestos Campaign," funded by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management under the LIFE + financial instrument of the European Union.