MINSK, 1 December (BelTA) – The twelfth meeting of the UNECE Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents has completed its work in Geneva. A Belarusian delegation, which included representatives of the Emergencies Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took an active part in the discussion of the issues on the agenda, BelTA learned from the press service of the Emergencies Ministry.
Repeatedly speaking on the pressing issues regarding the implementation of the convention, the Belarusian delegates noted the inadmissibility of its politicization and the importance of maintaining effective cooperation between the parties to ensure industrial safety in a transboundary context.
Overall, the discussions were constructive. Participants highlighted the best practices in assessing the risks of industrial accidents, technologies for their prevention, considered the prevention of pollution of transboundary waters, and also approved a roadmap for ensuring the safety of tailings dams and a work plan for 2023-2024. The conference sees cyber threats, the transition to other types of energy and cascading emergencies as the main risks.
The meeting also paid attention to the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015-2030 in terms of industrial safety. This year the Emergencies Ministry shared its experience in this area with the international community. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the convention. Belarus joined it in 2003 and during this time has achieved great results.
The meeting also noted the invaluable contribution of the Republic of Belarus to the implementation of the convention. The delegates welcomed the role of the Emergencies Ministry in the work of the Bureau and the working group on the implementation of the Convention; a team preparing a workshop on best practices and lessons learned; risk assessment teams; disaster risk reduction teams and funding groups.
On the final day of the event, the Belarusian side reaffirmed its commitment to assisting the implementation of the Convention and called on all countries of the UNECE region to build bridges of mutual trust and respect for the benefit of protecting people from industrial accidents.
The twelfth meeting of the UNECE Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents was held at the United Nations Office at Geneva. It was attended by more than a hundred delegates from 40 countries and 14 international organizations, initiatives and institutions.
