Delegates from countries across the Americas gathered in Chilean capital Santiago on Monday for the opening of a United Nations conference on natural and man-made disasters and risk reduction.

Some 400 envoys attended the "Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas" to identify different mechanisms for reducing the risk of natural disasters at local, national and regional levels.

The conference also aims to speed up the implementation of an international framework for disaster risk reduction that was adopted by all UN member countries as part of the 2005 Hyogo Framework for Action.

"The fact that the forum is being held in Chile reflects the government's concern for a preventive approach that seeks to promote a culture of self-preservation when faced with emergencies, " said Chilean Deputy Interior Minister Rodrigo Ubilla during the opening of the three-day event.

Benjamin Chacana, director of Chile's National Emergency Office (Onemi), said the forum offers an opportunity to "debate how we can continue to strengthen the integration of disaster risk reduction into government policies and planning, and also strengthen national institutions to increase resilience against natural disasters."

Chacana added that the forum "reinforces our commitment to continue working hard to strengthen the safety conditions of all Chileans."

As an example of that effort, he cited Onemi-organized emergency drills that have included the participation of 3 million people around the country, and the strengthening of the National Civil Protection System through strategic alliances with the key institutions that comprise the system.

Among those attending the conference slated to end on Wednesday are Margareta Walstrom, representative of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and Ricardo Mena, regional chief for the Americas at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.