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Improving energy efficiency overall is impossible without concerted measures in the buildings sector. Buildings are responsible for approximately one third of total energy consumption and account for almost 40 per cent of CO2 emissions from combustion in the UNECE region. Achieving related…
Growing water scarcity, climate variability and increasing water needs for economic development have led to a rising global interest in water allocation practices. Especially where rivers, lakes and groundwater bodies cross national borders, the competing demands of countries and sectors for…
Emissions of key air pollutants have been reduced considerably over the past few decades as a result of integrated air pollution management strategies developed under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention). Notwithstanding, progress has been uneven…
Sustainable development must be underpinned by sustainable energy systems. In Azerbaijan, the government has adopted the increased use of renewable energy sources as a priority area for the country. To support this objective, Azerbaijan is planning for the installation of stations designed…
National Single Windows – which simplify import and export transactions by making it easier to input all regulatory and commercial information at a single electronic point – streamline cross-border data exchange, reducing bureaucracy and making it easier for businesses to engage in international…
Beyond the “resource curse”: the need for strengthened resource management in AfricaThe earliest evidence for mining in the world dates back over 40,000 years ago in Swaziland in Africa. Richly endowed with oil, gas and mineral resources, Africa ranks either first or second in resources of many…
How can countries best harness transport and trade to drive progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? How can enhancing countries’ statistics on trade and transport support this process? This was the focus of discussions at a workshop organized last week by UNECE in…
Blockchain is a rapidly evolving area of information technology with potential for huge benefits in terms of security, reliability and cost efficiency in the exchange of information. Blockchain offers the advantage of a shared “end to end” record of information related to transaction history,…
For over 60 years national experts on population and housing censuses have participated in meetings and other activities of UNECE to discuss census methodology and prepare recommendations. In 2015 the Conference of European Statisticians adopted the recommendations for the 2020 census…
UNECE is highlighting the importance of improving industrial safety on International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October) – a day designated by the United Nations General Assembly to draw attention to the urgent need to reduce humanitarian, social, economic and environmental risks of natural…
Over the last 30 years, income inequality has been rising in most UNECE countries. In many countries, the widening gap between the rich and the poor has stimulated increasing public debate on inequalities, particularly since the beginning of the global economic downturn. This has led to growing…
Katie Amos from the United Kingdom, Olesya Balashova from Russia, and Caroline Ulaga from Slovenia have won the European Forest Week 2017 Art Contest. FAO received 360 entries from 21 countries for the contest, which challenged participants aged 5-19 years to create a drawing or painting…
UN/EDIFACT is a cornerstone international standard for the electronic exchange of data that is widely used in international supply chains, transport and logistics. It is used by 100,000 traders in the retail sector alone. UN/EDIFACT, or to give its full name, United Nations rules for…
Waste is a challenge waiting to be transformed into an opportunity that can help achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Health and environmental risksOn 14 April 2017, as Sri Lanka was celebrating its traditional new year, a mountain of waste lying on the northeastern…
Statistics play a crucial role in dealing with disasters, from preparation to recovery and reporting. The need for timely and accurate data is especially significant in light of the increasing frequency and severity of climate change-related extreme weather events. However, the data needed for…
Decent housing and sustainable cities at the heart of UN celebrations of World Habitat Day in Geneva
World Habitat Day 2017 is the occasion to raise awareness of the theme of “housing policies: affordable homes”, underscoring the importance of ensuring adequate, affordable and decent housing for all as a key feature of sustainable cities. This year’s celebration also coincides with the 70th…
The United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) has been leading innovation in technical standards, policy recommendations and guidelines for global trade facilitation for over two decades. The 30th UN/CEFACT Forum, to be held from 2-6 October in Rome in…
Hydrology and environment specialists from Afghanistan and Tajikistan are conducting a hands-on study this week to identify and discuss issues related to the efficient use of water resources, land use, irrigation practices and biodiversity in the upper Amudarya basin. Particular attention will…
Towards a more sustainable clothing industry: 30th UN/CEFACT Forum to explore enhancing traceability
Clothing is one of the largest industries in the world economy, generating annual revenues of around US$ 3 trillion, producing 80 billion garments, and employing over 60 million people of which three quarters are women. The industry is a global one, with its supply chains spreading across all…
National Single Windows (NSW) simplify import and export transactions by making it easier to input all regulatory and commercial information at a single electronic point. Ensuring the compatibility (or “interoperability”) of this information between countries can drive international trade.…
How can countries best harness data to reduce road casualties, helping to meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on improving road safety?UNECE, with the support of International Road Transport Union (IRU), is developing a new tool to help governments design effective road…
The latest in UNECE’s series of policy briefs on ageing focuses on the potentials of living longer. The brief, released on 14 September 2017 ahead of the 4th UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing in Lisbon (20-22 September), challenges the traditional policy approach to ageing populations –…
Armenian forests are among the most threatened ecosystems, with degradation accelerating, largely attributable to deforestation and overexploitation. Thus, “expansion of forests is one of the main goals for Armenia, not only for the forests’ protective role, but also to develop forest-related…
The fourth UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing will be held in Lisbon (Portugal) on 20-22 September 2017, on the theme of “a sustainable society for all ages: realizing the potential of living longer”.Some 400 participants, including 35 Ministers, Deputy Ministers or State Secretaries, and…
Green economy fosters economic progress while ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity. The OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, which concluded on 8 September, also recognized the value of green economy as part of the OSCE approach to security and cooperation in Europe.In her…