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Complementing the High-Level Briefing, the #UNECE Secretariat is holding a briefing for the Focal Points and other stakeholders of the Industrial Accidents Convention on the forthcoming #CoP14 to support preparation and provide an opportunity to pose questions.

Ahead of COP14 in #Geneva on 9–10 December, Chair Marie-Claire Lhenry of #France highlights key priorities: strengthening Natech risk management, addressing industrial safety challenges linked to the energy transition and securing commitments.

40 years after the Sandoz chemical accident, Paola Deda of #UNECE highlights the growing importance of the Convention as climate hazards, urbanization and emerging technologies reshape risks. She calls for stronger prevention and cooperation ahead of the December COP.

With Industrial Accidents Convention CoP-14 taking place on 9-10 December, Secretary Franziska Hirsch provides an overview of the key agenda items over two days, with a high-level dialogue on Natech risk management.

Key decisions for adoption include: 🔸 Amending Guidelines to facilitate identification of hazardous activities on tailings management facilities 🔸 Strengthening intl cooperation to advance industrial safety of energy transition 🔸 Guiding principles for financial assistance

Following a presentation on elections at the upcoming meeting, the Secretariat presented an overview of the Global seminar on the Safe and Secure Management of Hazardous Chemicals, taking place on 8 December, which will include an opening high-level panel and launch of a report.

Maud Casier of #EU outlines a CoP-14 proposal establishing and mandating an open-ended Expert Group on the Industrial Safety of the Energy Transition (ISET) replacing the Extended Small Group, as a flexible, expert-driven platform for cooperation, guidance development & exchange.

Martin Merkofer of #Switzerland presents the Draft updated Guidelines and decision to facilitate the identification of hazardous activities, in relation to mine tailings safety, showing that the new methodology aims to improve risk assessment and strengthen revention.

Secretary Franziska Hirsch presented the proposed 2027–2028 workplan, which will include 8 workstreams and various outputs for the upcoming years, requiring $4.26 million in funding.

The Secretariat reiterates that that financial pledges at CoP-14 are critical to implementing the workplan, and is inviting governments to communicate, where possible, the amounts they intend to pledge by 11 November 2026.