At ITF25 UNECE presents strategies and tools to help member States manage disruptions in the transport sector
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNECE fosters sustainable development by translating #GlobalGoals into norms and conventions that impact people’s lives
Ways to protect global supply chains and transport systems against shocks and disruptions was the leitmotif of this year’s ITF - International Transport Forum at the OECD Summit (#ITF25) in Leipzig. Amid escalating climate extremes, rapid technological advances, geopolitical tensions and shifting global trade patterns, there is a need to scale up action to transform the transport sector to ensure that it can respond to both current and future needs. Providing the only global United Nations platform for road, rail and inland waterway transport, and with 61 global transport legal instruments under its purview, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe aims to set a vision for resilient, inclusive, and climate-friendly transport systems. Speaking at the ITF25 opening plenary and ministerial roundtables, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean highlighted the existing UNECE strategies and tools that can help United Nations member States and other stakeholders to manage disruptions in the transport sector, especially those induced by climate change. Read more
Public-private partnerships
Reimagining resilient infrastructure for a sustainable future in focus of the 9th UNECE International PPP Forum
As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary and with the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rapidly approaching, more than 600 participants from national and local authorities, private companies, lenders, civil society, academia and international organizations gathered in Belgrade, Serbia, for the 9th UNECE International PPP Forum to reimagine resilient infrastructure for a sustainable future. In her opening remarks, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean noted that only by delivering on three values – money, people and the planet – will public-private partnerships (PPPs) be truly contributing to sustainable development. The PIERS methodology – UNECE’s flagship tool to assess the alignment of PPP and infrastructure projects against the SDGs – can help identify innovative funding solutions and strategies to make infrastructure projects both financially sound and SDG-oriented. Read more
Energy
Kazakhstan and Armenia launch SDG roadmaps on affordable and clean energy, with UNECE and ESCAP support
To help accelerate their progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, SDG 7 roadmaps for Kazakhstan and Armenia were developed under a joint project implemented by United Nations ESCAP and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe . For Kazakhstan, the roadmap sets out to implement four key policy recommendations: improve energy efficiency across all economic sectors; proceed with electrification of the transport sector; decarbonize the power supply, which is the key to achieving net zero emissions by 2050; and decarbonize the heating sector to reduce emissions and improve energy security. For Armenia, the roadmap is focused on implementing strong policy measures to address the gap in clean cooking by 2030; accelerating the efficiency of energy use in all economic sectors; fuel switching strategies, including electrification; and decarbonization of the power and heating supply. Read more
Forests
Rising heat, rising risk: managing forest fires in a warming world
Wildfires are becoming more intense, more frequent, and more destructive, stretching across continents, ecosystems, and communities. In the 2023-2024 season, 3.9 million km² of land burned globally, with carbon emissions 16% above average. Wildfires are escalating into a global crisis, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, public health, and the climate. They worsen air pollution, increase carbon emissions, disrupt water supplies, and increase the risk of floods and landslides, compounding vulnerabilities in both rural and urban areas. Recognizing this urgency, the UNECE/FAO Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management, a UN expert body that facilitates technical cooperation on forest data, management, and policy, and oversees expert teams working on these topics, brought together country delegates and experts to explore what is driving this crisis, what it is doing to our forests, and what can be done to manage it. Read more
Air pollution
40 Years of monitoring air pollution's impact on forests under UNECE Air Convention show value of scientific cooperation
The connection between air pollution, acid rain and forest dieback, fish loss in lakes and other ecosystem damage that was discovered in the 1960s and 1970s not only fueled the scientific debate, but was also picked up by media, which raised public awareness and led to a public outcry. The scientific evidence on the environmental effects of air pollution was an important factor leading to the signing of the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in 1979. In response to widespread public and political concern over extensive forest damage observed in Europe, one of the first effects-related programmes established under the Convention was the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests). Established in 1985, ICP Forests has become a cornerstone of long-term, pan-European forest ecosystem monitoring. The programme provides unprecedented data and insights, playing a crucial role in understanding the impacts of air pollution, climate change, and other environmental factors on forests. Read more
Industrial accidents
Supporting Central Asia to strengthen management of climate-related mining waste risks
Mining remains a cornerstone of economic development in Central Asia, leveraging the region’s rich mineral resources. However, the sector also generates substantial volumes of waste, often stored in tailings management facilities (TMFs). These facilities can pose serious environmental and public health risks if not properly managed. With Central Asia’s susceptibility to natural hazards, accidents involving TMFs is of growing concern. Many of these risks are compounded by the region’s shared river systems where an incident in one country could result in transboundary pollution affecting communities downstream. In response to these complex challenges, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe , United Nations ESCAP , and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH , in collaboration with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation , recently held a workshop in Bishkek. Read more
Transport
UNECE promotes implementation of adequate cargo loading and securing at workshop in Uzbekistan
Many incidents in freight transport are attributed to poor practices in the packing of freight containers, including inadequate securing of cargo, overloading, and incorrect declaration of contents. Moreover, poor packing practices are estimated to cost the global transport and logistics sector over USD 6 billion annually. It is therefore of critical importance to protect lives and help the industry avoid financial losses through the application of sound cargo packing practices grounded in knowledge and science. The good practice is contained in the ILO-IMO-UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) which provides a non-mandatory global code of practice for handling and packing of containers for transport by land and sea. The CTU Code was discussed at the UNECE workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in cooperation with Uzbekistan Railways (Oʻzbekiston temir yoʻllari) - UTY, Terminal Tashkent Tovarnaya, and with financial support from the Russian Federation. Read more
Environment
UNECE pilots an integrated approach to review Uzbekistan's environmental performance
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has commenced the 4th Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in the country's commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. From 19 to 23 May, the UNECE EPR Team is in Tashkent for the country review mission of the 4th EPR of Uzbekistan, assessing the country's environmental performance over the past five to seven years. This review will feature an even more integrated approach than usual, with four comprehensive chapters on environmental pollution, green development, climate change, and nature-based solutions. The review will provide valuable insights and recommendations for policy design and implementation, promoting the integration of environmental policies into sector-specific economic policies such as agriculture, energy, transport and industry. It will also enhance public accountability and strengthen cooperation with the international community. Read more
Upcoming events
28 - 30 May 2025
2 - 5 June 2025
2 - 5 June 2025