On October 16–17, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Zlatinov, PhD, and Assist. Prof. Dilyana Slavova, PhD, took part in the Second International Conference “Aquamatic: Challenges in Water Management in Europe”, organized by the Silesian Water Centre at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.

At the invitation of the organizers, Assoc. Prof. Zlatinov participated in the conference opening with a statement related to the motto of the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction – “Fund Resilience not Disasters”.

He emphasized how economies can better prepare for the increasingly frequent and severe consequences of natural disasters and highlighted the role of economic thinking in improving decision-making – not only in addressing negative impacts but also in implementing effective prevention measures.

Together with colleagues from the University of Silesia and representatives of local authorities, Assoc. Prof. Zlatinov took part in a debate focused on the exchange of knowledge and experience in countering natural disasters. The discussion covered topics such as the role of scientists – including economists – in the European strategy for crisis management caused by natural catastrophes, as well as the economic and social consequences of delayed preventive measures and the challenges of post-disaster recovery.

During the conference’s poster session, Assist. Prof. Dilyana Slavova presented her research titled “The Water Paradox of Bulgaria: From Overflow to Scarcity”. Her study addressed current aspects of water management in Bulgaria and its effects on the national economy.

The conference was held and funded within the framework of the European University Alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU), of which Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is a member.

In addition to the lecturers from the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, researchers from Italy and Lithuania, who are also part of the Transform4Europe network, participated in the event.