UNECE Countries in Figures 2009
Do you wonder what the capital city, currency or official language(s) of a particular country in the UNECE region are? Would you need a quick overview of the social and economic situation of each country, presenting easy-to-understand graphs and tables? Then UNECE Countries in Figures 2009 might just be what you are looking for. [Tuesday, 10 March 2009]
Joint UNECE/OICA Press Conference at Geneva Motor Show
Juan Ramos Garcia, Secretary of the World Form, UNECE, and Yves van der Straaten, Secretary General of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), presented the work of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) at the Geneva Motor Show on 4 March. [Friday, 6 March 2009]
International Workshop on Seed Potatoes for Countries of Africa and the Middle East
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is organizing a four-day international workshop on seed potatoes in Cairo from 16 to 19 March. The main purpose of the workshop is to encourage growers in North Africa and the Middle East to apply the UNECE international commercial Standard for Seed Potatoes. [Wednesday, 4 March 2009]
Transport Challenges in 2009,
71st annual session of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee, 24-26 February 2009
How will adverse credit conditions and declining growth rates impact transport services, production of vehicles and infrastructure investment? This is just one of the questions being raised at the 71st annual session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Inland Transport Committee (ITC). High-level officials from the 56 UNECE member States, the European Commission, international and European transport organizations and non-governmental organizations will attend the session, assessing transport challenges and the role of UNECE in overcoming them. [Monday, 23 February 2009]
UNECE announces the first Workshop on energy efficiency in housing, Sofia, 21-22 April 2009
In the UNECE region, existing buildings, in particular those constructed between the 1960s and the 1980s, characteristically have low thermal efficiency and wasteful heat distribution systems. New buildings are likewise being built with low thermal efficiency. Unless this efficiency is improved, increased housing construction and homeownership will be accompanied by higher electricity consumption, and thus higher emissions. [Monday, 23 February 2009]
The Environment for Europe reform plan was adopted by the Committee on Environmental Policy at its Special session on 29 January 2009
The plan includes the objectives and priorities of the Environment for Europe (EfE) process as well as its general principles. It also calls for particular measures to be taken related to the preparatory phase of the Conference, and specifies its format and outcome. New elements of the EfE Conference are worth mentioning: the CEP would act as the convening body for the preparatory process; not more than two themes be identified and addressed by the Conference and; its main outcomes should be focused and action oriented. A last section on implementation is also included, with all relevant responsible actors to implement the outcomes of the EfE Ministerial Conferences. The Plan would be transmitted to the Economic Commission for Europe at its sixty third session for endorsement. [Monday, 9 February 2009]