Skip to main content

Press Releases

Displaying Results 26 - 50 of 125

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have completed new digital air cargo technical specifications guidance that will help to accelerate the transition towards safer and more resilient supply chains, while making
Countries across the globe have made progress on digitalizing international trade formalities during the COVID-19 pandemic, but stronger efforts are needed to facilitate trade for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other groups and sectors with special needs, according to a report
During the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the constraints imposed by social distancing measures and restrictions on movement, businesses and consumers in the economies in transition in the UNECE region (e.g. Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, Western Balkans and Eastern Europe) – mirroring global
UNECE and FAO are implementing blockchain tracing technology in cotton supply chains in Latin America. Demand is increasing from consumers for more traceability of their products to the origin and for more transparent sustainability credentials. Yet in countries such as Peru, 99% of the cotton
The trade facilitation performance of 44 UNECE member States has improved from 72 per cent in 2019 to 76 per cent in 2021, according to the Regional Report on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2021 released today. The report contains the results from the United Nations Global Survey on
With food part of everyone’s most fundamental needs, the sustainability of food systems has been high on the international agenda in 2021. Earlier this fall saw the conclusion of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, setting the stage for global food systems transformation. The United Nations
Today, a High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue kicked off the new capacity building project “Accelerating the Transition to Circular Economy in the UNECE Region” to help countries address challenges and harness opportunities in key areas, including traceability of supply chains, innovation-enhancing
The United Nations has released a first version of a Handbook on Provisions and Options for Trade in Times of Crisis and Pandemic. Work on the Handbook was initiated by ESCAP, UNCTAD and other UN Regional Commissions after realizing that the hundreds of regional trade agreements in place provided
Commitments to The Sustainability Pledge are gathering speed as signatories and developers of the UNECE-brokered recommendations for improved sustainability and ethical practice in the garment and footwear sector gather for a three-day event on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week. Textile and
Countries across the globe are continuing to move towards a seamless and efficient trading environment, within and beyond national borders, by simplifying and digitalizing formalities in international trading, helping to sustain international trade despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the European Investment Bank, the financial investment arm of the European Union, have signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen joint efforts to promote economic cooperation, cohesion and to support countries in the
Serbia is undergoing extensive reforms to consolidate a competitive market-based economy. The Government considers trade, along with investment, as an essential element to achieving structural transformation and inclusive growth. Reforms accord priority to harmonizing non-tariff measures. As part
Annually, food in total value of over USD 1.8 trillion is traded between nations and global exports of food have increased on average by seven per cent per year in the last 20 years. In this trade, trust and quality controls are essential to protect consumers and maintain the industry. The exchange
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of efficient trade processes has become clear as a means to allow for fast and safe movement of products, including bringing the life-saving medicines and food products to people, and to reduce the economic impacts of the crisis. In the Kyrgyz Republic,
Asserting and verifying sustainability claims in the garment and footwear sector are set to become easier thanks to a toolkit of policy recommendations, implementation guidelines and standard endorsed by UNECE member States that provide traceability and transparency solutions for tracking any
The trade disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shook the Kyrgyz economy, which fell by 8.6 per cent in 2020 - for the first time in 26 years, according to the National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. As the country continues its efforts to “build back better”, it is imperative
The safety, security, efficiency, and resiliency of supply chains will benefit from air cargo digitalization, supported by standards developed at UNECE’s UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT).   Public health concerns over COVID-19 are a new driving force behind
Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals at the urban level is crucial to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, stresses UNECE in a new report that advocates for a “cities-based” and “people-smart” approach to sustainable development.   With cities today as the driving force in economic, social,
More robust monitoring and measuring systems are required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a UNECE report on Measuring and Monitoring progress towards SDGs that uses a “nexus” approach to chart a course for more “joined up” activities.  High-quality statistics
Recognizing the vital importance of mobility and connectivity for sustainable economic development and taking stock of key challenges, UNECE has consolidated its work in this cross-cutting area to help countries leverage its tools to steer recovery efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals
Every crisis contains the seeds of opportunity and growth, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. International standards provide powerful tools for bolstering economic resilience, while enabling enterprises to improve their productive capacity.  Given their extensive coverage of production
With fish production estimated to reach 204 million tonnes in 2030, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing costs up to $23 billion every year to countries and affects one in every five fish caught. UNECE member states face these issues both on the high seas and in areas within national
Azerbaijan, like the other five countries in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus (EESC) - Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine - has grown rapidly following a rocky and difficult transition from a centrally planned to a market economy over the past decades. This momentum
Trade facilitation reforms are a continuous process. Thus, a periodic review of the progress made in this endeavour is beneficial for the stakeholders in trade facilitation. Whether it is a general measure like submitting a customs declaration or an advanced measure like cross-border exchange of
Major disruptions in trade flows from the COVID-19 pandemic have come at huge economic and social cost. Building on lessons learned from the crisis, international experts from the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) have set out guidelines to help reduce