Issue N� 07 � 17-21 March 2003
It�s just happened �
In order to ensure that the right of present and future generations to a healthy environment can be exercised effectively, the UNECE Aarhus Convention also gives people the right to access to justice. The Task Force on Access to Justice, whose aim is to assist Parties to the Convention in their efforts to implement effectively access to the justice pillar of the Convention, had its first meeting in Brussels, 10-11 March 2003. The Task Force discussed, among other issues, the meaning of �access to justice�; who has access, what are the criteria for having access; the notion of fair and equitable procedure; the role of administrative procedures and environmental tribunals; the issues that can be put on trial.� A Handbook on Access to Justice addressing many of these questions will be made available on the Convention web site.
For further information: http://www.unece.org/env/pp/a.to.j.htm
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the European Association of Companies with Concessions for Motorway, Bridge and Tunnel Tolls (ASECAP) and the UNECE, laying down the basis for closer cooperation within the UNECE Trans-European North-South Motorway (TEM) Project. This MoU is inspired by the common objective to support European road transport integration and development and the need to coordinate efforts for promotion of road and motorway infrastructure efficiency, safety and quality throughout the TEM Network. In addition to establishing specific guidelines and a consistent investment strategy for the TEM member countries in developing their priority national, regional and international road transport infrastructures, other cooperation includes: Analysis and examination of integrated motorway services; harmonization of motorway user charges levels; introduction of interoperable electronic fee collections; implementation of intelligent transport systems; efficient usage and development of cost effective motorways and roads; creation of a balanced interoperable European road transport network.
For additional information:� http://unece.org/trans/welcome.html (Under TEM heading)
One of the major achievements of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is its work in the field of legally binding instruments, standards and policy guidelines. Over 250 regulations and standards have been developed in the areas of environment, human settlements, transport, trade facilitation, timber, agriculture, sustainable energy and statistics. The success of the UNECE standards has been due to the multiple benefits that can be obtained by countries adopting them. International standards have enabled countries to promote international cooperation for trade. They have helped businesses of all sizes to import and export. They have strengthened national and international measures to protect our environment. But most important of all, these standards have improved the quality of life for people living all over the world. The brochure �The UNECE works for quality and Safety: Norms and standards� presents some examples of the UNECE standards and shows how the Commission is truly working for you.
The UNECE Excellent Women Entrepreneurs of the Year 2002 Awards ceremony will take place at the Palais des Nations on Tuesday, 18 March 2003 at 4.30 p.m. during the Second Forum of Women Entrepreneurs. The contest has been organized in recognition of the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the economic development and social progress of their countries. Six awards will be given, notably: Best Start-up Entrepreneur of the Year; Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Entrepreneur in Information Technology; Best Entrepreneur in Craft; Best Entrepreneur Facing Additional Challenges of Disability; and Best �3Rs� Entrepreneur: Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
17-18 March�������� Forum on Women Entrepreneurs
19 March������������� Forum on Best Practice in Development of Entrepreneurship and SMEs: The Croatian and Slovenian Experience
19-21 March�������� Working Party on the Standardization
of Technical and Safety Requirements in Inland Navigation
20-21 March�������� Expert Meeting on How to Become a Supplier of Large Enterprises and Transnational Corporations
| For further information please contact: Information Service UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Tel: +41(0)22 917 44 44 Fax: +41(0)22 917 05 05 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.unece.org |
| GDP growth forecast in the ECE region, 2003 | ||
| (Percentage change over previous year) | ||
| Region | 2002 | 2003 |
| UNECE-50a | 2 | 2.4 |
| Central and Eastern Europe-15 | 3 | 3.9 |
| CIS-12 | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Russian Federation | 4.3 | 4 |
| Western Europe-21b | 1 | 1.7 |
| European Union-15 | 0.9 | 1.6 |
| Euro area-12 | 0.8 | 1.4 |
| Europe excluding CIS-36 | 1.2 | 1.9 |
| Europe including CIS-48 | 1.7 | 2.3 |
| North America-2 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| United States | 2.3 | 2.5 |
| Source: UNECE Statistical Division; European Commission, Economic Forecasts (Luxembourg), Autumn 2002; OECD, Economic Outlook, No.72 (Paris), December 2002; national statistical offices. | ||
| Notes: | ||
| - Data for 2002 are based on preliminary estimates provided by national statistical offices. | ||
| - Forecasts for 2003 prepared by UNECE Economic Analysis Division. | ||
| - The regional aggregates are computed by summing over countries constant price values converted into US dollars using the GDP purchasing power parity of the year 2000. | ||
| aExcludes Andorra, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino. | ||
| bIncludes Turkey. | ||
Erratum: The heading of columns 3 and 4 in the table "Women in the labour force" published in UNECE Weekly № 06 was wrongly denominated "% of women among economically active population"; it should read "Women's economic activity rate".