Among other topics, the event will focus on possibilities to improve the system of notifying other countries in cases of catastrophes, Environment Minister Irena Majcen said.

The minister told the STA at the conference that the ongoing meeting would not only focus on industrial accidents but would also cover other disasters like floods or landslides to improve the system of notification and joint action also in these areas.

Slovenia is chairing the conference of countries parties to the convention in the 2014-2016 period.

The convention, which falls in the framework of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNCE), was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 2000. It has 41 contracting parties, including the EU.

At the ongoing meeting, the parties are expected to change the nature of the convention from regional to global, opening it to all UN members for signing.

Paola Albrito, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Regional Coordinator for Europe, explained that over 346 disasters were recorded around the world last year, in which almost 22,800 people were killed, 98.6 million people were affected and US$66.5bn was caused in damage.