News
Displaying Results 1 - 25 of 1374
The world’s reliance on raw materials is rising just as the pressure to cut emissions and safeguard ecosystems grows. New research shows the stakes: a Science study found that by-product recovery from U.S. metal mines alone could sharply reduce dependence on imported critical minerals. Globally,…
As Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in smart consumer products, medical devices and industrial machinery, regulatory fragmentation threatens to create new trade barriers and inconsistencies in safety, cybersecurity and consumer protection. To address this, UNECE’s Working Party…
Spanning over 2.7 million km² from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth‑largest country. Nearly 90% of its land is arid or semi‑arid, and water resources are unevenly distributed. This geographic reality, combined with a highly dispersed population, means that…
With just five years remaining to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world faces a deepening social crisis. Economic insecurity, widening inequalities, and declining social trust undermine progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and threaten the foundations of…
Accurate emission data is critical for designing effective emission reduction policies, as it identifies the main sources within a country. Under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention), emission reporting is a key obligation. UNECE has been assisting…
The recent 73rd plenary session of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES), held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, brought together senior statistical leaders from 54 countries and 15 international organizations to chart the future of official statistics amid growing data demands,…
As the United Nations prepares for its 80th anniversary amidst rising geopolitical tensions, budget constraints, and the stalling progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030, boosting innovation and PPPs to drive societal transformation and sustainable development is no…
As part of the preparations for the upcoming United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026 – 2035) and the associated Implementation Plan, UNECE and the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) have recently organized a capacity building workshop on sustainable…
Sound emission data is the first step in designing effective emission reduction policies as it provides information about the main sources in a country. As one of the key obligations under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention) is emission reporting, UNECE has…
Pollution from chemicals, waste, and air emissions poses a growing threat to human health, biodiversity, and economic stability in Central Asia. In a move towards cleaner air, enhancing environmental governance and democracy, and safer chemicals and waste management, five Central Asian countries…
Asia-Pacific is one of the regions most affected by road traffic deaths and injuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 28% of all global fatalities occur in South-East Asia and 25% in Western Pacific. This is due to the rapid motorization in many low-and -middle-income countries in…
The Baltic Sea, one of the world’s most intensively used marine areas, is under increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, and expanding offshore energy projects. Coordinated, transboundary cooperation is crucial to protecting its future.
Against the backdrop of Europe’s energy…
The Mediterranean Sea faces significant environmental challenges. Climate change, tourism, shipping, and energy projects — including offshore wind farms and oil exploration — are piling on pressure. These activities do not stop at national borders, and neither should the responses to address them.…
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can significantly accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by delivering essential infrastructure projects that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive. For governments to leverage PPPs effectively…
In December 2023, the decision to revise the Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication, and Ground-Level Ozone, known as the Gothenburg Protocol, marked a significant step towards enhancing air pollution control efforts across Europe and North America. Since then, expert and technical bodies…
As countries across the UNECE region move towards cleaner and more efficient transport systems, UNECE energy and transport experts have been working to advance electric mobility through the implementation of a regional project that has delivered tangible results, including a comprehensive regional…
Uzbekistan launches National Trade Facilitation Roadmap 2025–2030 to boost regional trade leadership
Uzbekistan has taken a significant step toward strengthening its role as a central trade hub in Central Asia with the launch of its National Trade Facilitation Roadmap 2025–2030, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The roadmap was…
Ways to protect global supply chains and transport systems against shocks and disruptions was the leitmotif of this year’s International Transport Forum Summit (ITF25) in Leipzig. Amid escalating climate extremes, rapid technological advances, geopolitical tensions and shifting global trade…
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…
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…
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 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…
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…
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. This is a serious concern, particularly because the victims of such incidents are often members of…
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 have been developed under a joint UNDA project implemented by ESCAP and UNECE. …
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. Major wildfire events included Canada's worst season, with…