Amid growing emphasis on accountability of sustainability claims on goods placed on markets and the challenge of addressing greenwashing, reliable and verifiable data have become crucial for building trust in global value chains. At the same time, as goods move across multiple borders, the climate crisis has highlighted the need to examine the role of digital trade corridors to advance climate-smart connectivity for cross-border trade operations. Finally, the current low level of women’s representation and participation in trade, calls for the exploration of gender-responsive approaches that can lead to higher economic gains, innovation, more diverse and resilient economies, and inclusive growth. 

Through its subsidiary body UN/CEFACT, UNECE has advanced key initiatives to tackle these issues. Recommendation No. 49 and tools such as the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) provide comprehensive solutions to improve data interoperability, ensure credible sustainability reporting, and support the development of transparent, sustainable, and circular value chains. Likewise, UN/CEFACT digital data exchange tools, such as the Buy-Ship-Pay model, can help reduce costs, streamline supply chains, and promote regional and global integration, thus contributing to the UNECE strategic priorities of green and digital transformations, climate action and resilient infrastructure, and to the Global Digital Compact of the UN Pact for the Future. 

These challenges will be at the heart of discussions at the upcoming 43rd UN/CEFACT Forum in Rome, Italy, on 10-12 December 2024. The Forum is expected to attract more than 300 participants in-person and online from over 50 countries across the globe. Closely linked to the Italian G7 Presidency and its effort to advance environmental and social sustainability, as well as to address global economic disruptions, the Forum will focus on the following themes:  

• Fostering sustainable, transparent, and resilient value chains: Exploring ways to enhance traceability, transparency, and sustainability in supply chains, with a special focus on the agri-food, built environment, critical raw materials, and textiles sectors; 

• Enhancing digital connectivity for climate-smart trade corridors: Discussing the role of digital solutions and standards in supporting climate-resilient trade corridors; 

• Advancing UN/CEFACT standard development: Aligning standards with the modern needs of global trade, including updates on the UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP) and ongoing projects, such as UN Digital Product Passports (DPPs).  

In addition to policy dialogues on digital connectivity for climate-smart trade and transport corridors, advancing sustainability and circular value chains, and empowering women in trade facilitation for inclusive growth, the Forum will also feature project sessions on facilitating traceability for sustainable value chains, adopting multimodal transport data models, and fostering sustainable travel and tourism.  

Participants will also be able to engage in technical dialogues on multimodal transport and the role of data exchange standards, as well as on enhancing UN/CEFACT tools and methods.  

On the final day, the Forum will feature the 4th session of the Team of Specialists on ESG Traceability in Sustainable Value Chains.   

Note to editors 

The United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) is a subsidiary, intergovernmental body of UNECE. Serving as a focal point within the United Nations Economic and Social Council, UN/CEFACT focuses on developing trade facilitation recommendations and electronic business standards. Its global membership includes experts from intergovernmental organizations, national authorities, and the private sector. With 48 policy recommendations and 950+ standards, UN/CEFACT plays a pivotal role in simplifying international trade processes and driving sustainable development.