Affordable housing is a priority for overcoming the crisis and achieving the Millennium Development Goals

“Beyond the seriousness of the real estate crisis and the economy, we must not overlook the effect on the social dimension of people’s lives." This warning, from the Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro, was given at a seminar on the real estate and financial crisis organized by the UNECE, its Real Estate Market advisory group (REM) and the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), held on 16 December in New York. [Tuesday, 23 December 2008]

Secretary-General appoints Ján KUBIŠ of Slovakia to head United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

The United Nations Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Ján Kubiš of Slovakia as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.  Mr. Kubiš, who will replace Marek Belka of Poland, will assume his new functions in the middle of January 2009. [Friday, 19 December 2008]

UNECE Global Energy Efficiency 21 Project (GEE21) launched during Poznań COP-14

At COP-14 in Poznań, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe launched the Project “Global Energy Efficiency 21” – GEE21 – during the UN-Energy Side Event on “Energy Efficiency in the post-2012 Framework: Key Issues and Challenges” organized on 10 December. [Thursday, 18 December 2008]

The fifth meeting of the Parties to the UNECE Industrial Accidents Convention examines current challenges and looks to the future

The UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (Industrial Accidents Convention) – which entered into force in 2000 – was created to protect human beings and the environment from the consequences of industrial accidents. [Friday, 12 December 2008]

Woody biomass – the fuel of choice for Serbia

Efficient wood-based energy should be the fuel of choice for Serbia and other South-East European countries for renewable heat and power generation. However, before its advantages can be achieved, there are a number of barriers which must be overcome to achieve the full potential of the domestic woody biomass resource. [Thursday, 11 December 2008]

Revised UNFC aims to simplify reporting of energy and mineral reserves and resources in a globalized world
With energy security a growing issue, the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology (UNFC) may improve global communications regarding remaining quantities of non-renewable fossil energy and mineral resources. [Wednesday, 10 December 2008]

The Transport Division launched the new UNECE Transport Review on the occasion of the joint meeting between WP.1 and the UN Road Safety Collaboration on 18 November 2008.
The Review will be published electronically three times a year. The first edition is dedicated to road safety, while subsequent issues will deal with other transport topics.