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]

Trade and transport facilitation can help in economic crisis

More efficient and integrated trade and transport practices can help countries address the current economic downturn, while at the same time invest in long-term economic development. [Tuesday, 23 February 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]

Daddy you can save the planet! Now in Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish

Ján Kubiš, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), presented today the Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish versions of the colouring book Daddy you can save the planet! first released in English and French by UNECE in 2007. [Friday, 20 February 2009] [French version]

Increased consumer protection and security provided by new international standards for eBusiness

The United Nations, through its Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), has released two new eBusiness standards.  Together, these standards will help provide safer imported agricultural commodities and allow easier traceability of agricultural crop production. [Monday, 16 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]