Press Releases
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Every second counts in a road traffic emergency. Reducing the time it takes for medical services, firefighters and rescuers to arrive on the scene can save lives and limit the severity of the consequences of road accidents for survivors. Every year 1.25 million people die in road traffic
Kazakhstan is underway to introduce a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) procedure in accordance with international standards as a tool for greening its economy. SEA enables governments to prevent irreversible and costly mistakes by integrating environmental considerations at an early
As the world’s second most polluting industry, the textile sector is responsible for a large portion of global CO2 emissions and industrial waste. Exploitative and dangerous working conditions are also widespread in the sector. At the same time, the industry has a complex value chain, with
Cities and human settlements in the UNECE region face enormous challenges. The population in the region is ageing, bringing changing demands on infrastructure and social services. Increased urban expansion has reduced the land available for other uses. Climate change and natural disasters are
Ensuring the safe transit of dangerous goods is a fundamental dimension of road safety. The European Agreement concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Good by Road (ADR), which celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year, is a successful example of the positive impact of
UNECE and the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) have agreed to join forces to promote the goals and objectives of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), in particular its application to energy and raw materials required for sustainable development, through the
For over a decade, the UNECE Recommendation 33 on Single Window has been the cornerstone definition for this trade facilitation tool enabling streamlined border-crossing procedures and allowing traders to submit all export-import related information to a single entry point. This definition is
Reducing trade costs is essential for countries to effectively harness trade as an engine for growth and sustainable development. This can be accomplished by tackling non-tariff sources of trade costs and addressing cumbersome regulatory procedures and documentation requirements. Indeed, trade
Today marks the entry into force of the second amendment to the UNECE Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context for Parties having ratified, approved or accepted it. The Espoo Convention, which celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its entry into force this
On 11 October 2017, Montenegro ratified the UNECE Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers, becoming the thirty-sixth Party to join this Protocol to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus
Countries from the UNECE region gathered in Warsaw this week to ensure that their forests are sustainably managed and used for the well-being of all. They agreed that sustainably managed forests and long lasting, sustainably sourced wood products can make important contributions to climate
Forest products markets are doing well, with improvements forecasted to continue into next year although barriers to cross-border trade are an ongoing concern for the forest products industry, according to the market statement at Las2017, the Joint Session of the Committee of Forests and the
The computerization of the customs transit procedure under the TIR Convention will boost international transport and trade by improving the efficiency and security of customs procedures through enhanced data management.The full transition to an electronic TIR customs transit procedure will be
Inland waterways such as rivers, lakes and coastal routes can provide a sustainable complement to the shipping of goods by road and rail. Transport by water is beneficial in terms of improving safety and reducing congestion, and offers lower energy consumption and better environmental
The consumption of forest products continues to increase across the UNECE region, driven by the use of wood as a “greener choice” in building and energy use, and supported by favourable economic growth. However, trade restrictions are a growing challenge for the sector. These are the key
Bioenergy is a renewable energy made from biological source materials, which can include solid biomass, sewage biomass, forest residues, algae and agricultural wastes. Although global bioenergy production is on the rise, a global system for the management of bioenergy resources has not been
In developed countries, buildings consume over 70% of the electrical power generated and 40% of primary energy, and are responsible for 40% of combustion-related CO2 emissions. Developing countries will need to accommodate an estimated 2.4 billion new urban residents by 2050, bringing
Responding to the challenges and potential of population ageing across the region, UNECE member States have adopted a Ministerial Declaration on “a Sustainable Society for All Ages: Realizing the potential of living longer”.Adopted at the 4th UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing, the Lisbon
In a context of continued population ageing, countries in the UNECE region have made strong progress towards promoting active ageing and ensuring inclusive and sustainable societies for all ages. But further efforts are needed to realize the potentials of living longer. These are the main
More than 400 participants from 58 countries gathered in Budva, Montenegro, this week to attend the sixth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention)
Armenia has made considerable progress in implementing sustainable housing and land management policies, but significant challenges remain in terms of access to decent housing and mitigation of disaster risks.These are some of the findings of the Second UNECE Country Profile on Housing and Land
Many countries around the world currently apply no UN vehicle regulations, often resulting in the absence of minimum safety and environmental performance requirements. The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) developed the latest changes (Revision 3) to the 1958 Agreement
Certification at the centre of debates as UNECE and FAO celebrate 70 years of cooperation on forests
Eighty-five per cent of the world’s forests certified as sustainably managed are located within the 56 countries of the UNECE region, which includes Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the United States and Canada. Today, this region contains 42 per cent of the world’s forests
A series of explosions at a chemical plant in Texas following severe flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey highlight the risk of extreme weather-related industrial accidents and the urgent need to strengthen efforts for prevention and preparedness.The explosions, which were caused by the loss of
As of 1 September 2017, consumers in Europe will benefit from more accurate information on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions thanks to the entry into force of a new standard testing procedure (the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure, or WLTP). A Global Technical Regulation on