History, mandate, main purposes and recent developments: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. With a Membership of 56 Member States from Europe, North America and Asia, UNECE promotes pan-European economic integration, develops advanced and appreciated standards in different domains (safety in road transport, trade, food standards, environment, sustainable energy) and manages the follow-up of the Conventions concluded on these issues. The spread of ECE standards outside the European Region (for example, on trade and transports) and the interest and close involvement of Italian and European national experts in the activities carried out by UNECE, highlight their value and quality and confirm the relevance of its original mandate. In particular, UNECE is the main body concretely promoting economic integration in the Central Asian Region.
UNECE activities are increasingly oriented to contribute to the promotion of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development; UNECE monitors the implementation of SDGs within the region through ad hoc forums (three already organized in 2017, 2018 and 2019).
The 68th Session of the UNECE Commission, the main UNECE Body, was held in April 2019.
Italian Participation: Italy and the EU share a clear and crucial interest in disseminating and applying as widely as possible the technical standards developed by UNECE, which represent the final result of a multi-stakeholder developing and approving process, involving public and private players. Italy has a strong interest in UNECE activities concerning transport, customs, environment and energy (promoting the transition to green and sustainable resources), and joint assistance projects with UNCTAD and WTO to assist Developing countries in implementing the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation. Italy also fully supports the Road Safety Programme and the activities undertaken by the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt. Under the aegis of the UNECE Secretariat, the United Nations Road Safety Fund is operational since 2019 with financial support from Governments and private companies.
Italy particularly welcomes the “Nexus” approach recently announced by the UNECE Executive Secretary to enhance synergies among the various fields of activity of the Commission.
Executive Secretary: since 1st June 2017, the Slovak Ambassador Olga Algayerova is the Executive Secretary of UNECE
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