Ljubljana, 04 July (STA) - An international conference on violence and sexual abuse of children is to take place in Ljubljana between 5 and 9 July to draw public attention to the issue of child abuse, the organisers told the press in Ljubljana on Wednesday.

The conference consists of two events. The Regional UN Consultation for Europe and Central Asia themed "Stop Violence Against Children: Act Now" will be held from 5 to 7 July.

A study on the nature and the extent of violence against children is to top the agenda at the consultation. The final report on the study is to be presented by the UN Secretary General in 2006.

This will be followed by a conference entitled "Yokohama Review for Europe and Central Asia - Combating Sexual Exploitation of Children" between 8 and 9 July, which is to review the implementation of commitments made at the 2001 Yokohama congress on commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The participants are also to sign a "Ljubljana Agreement", with which they will commit to developing and carrying out strategies to prevent violence against children, and to passing legislation on the prevention of all forms of violence against children.

According to Teja Valencic of the Foreign Ministry, around 300 representatives of 52 governments, international and non-governmental organisations, children rights ombudsmen and children are to take part.

Also expected are officials from the Council of Europe, UNICEF and the OSCE. PM Janez Jansa is to speak at the opening of the conference, which is organised by several Slovenian ministries and the human rights ombudsman.

Children will also be able to actively participate in the children's forum, the Regional UN Consultation, and at the interactive meeting entitled "Act Now!", Valencic also said.

Maja Vojnovic of UNICEF Slovenia added that the Slovenian Friends of Youth Association and UNICEF Slovenia have also invited 25 young people from around the world, including two Slovenian representatives.

Numerous activities, including a fair and workshops for children, will be organised by the Council of Europe, Liana Kalcina of the CoE's Ljubljana Information Centre told the press.

The Slovenian-based Together Foundation - Regional Centre for the Psychosocial Well-being of Children is to present its activities as well, its representative Viktorija Potocnik told the press.