Mandate, Main Objectives, and Recent Developments: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) brings together 56 member states from Europe, North America, and Asia. It is dedicated to fostering pan-European economic integration, developing advanced guidelines in various fields (such as road safety, trade, environment, and sustainable energy), and overseeing the follow-up of numerous conventions in these areas. The dissemination of UNECE standards beyond the European region (as seen, for example, in the fields of transportation and trade) and the interest of national experts from Italian and European administrations serve as evidence of the utility and quality of the technical work carried out by this regional commission. This also underscores the fact that the original mandate, centered around cooperation and economic integration, remains relevant and necessary even today. UNECE also continues to be the primary body actively promoting concrete economic integration in the Central Asian region, particularly in the areas of energy, environment, and infrastructure.
The Organization’s activities are increasingly geared towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals linked to the 2030 Agenda, particularly in the area of road safety. Italy has provided steadfast support to both the Road Safety Programme and the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, as well as to the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund, which has been operational since 2019 under the coordination of UNECE.
Italy currently holds the presidency of four UNECE bodies:
1) The World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (President: Antonio Erario of the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport).
2) The Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (President: Luciana Iorio of the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport).
3) The Permanent Working Group on Aging (President: Alfredo Ferrante of the Department for Family Policies, under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers).
4) The TIR Executive Board (President: Marco Ciampi of the Italian Customs Agency).
Executive Secretary: As of September 1, 2023, UNECE is led by the Moldovan Ambassador, Tatiana Molcean.
Website: https://www.unece.org
Working at the UNECE: For information on career opportunities at the UNECE, please visit the web page Vacancy Announcements | UNECE