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The Fifteenth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development (IFESD-15), held in Xi’an, China, from 3 to 6 November 2026, brought together governments, international organizations, industry, academia and other stakeholders. Under the theme “Energy Transition in an Uncertain World:
The pan-European region and North America, home to over 42% of the world’s forests, has expanded its forest area by around 60 million hectares since 1990, roughly the size of France. Yet these gains face growing threats. In the most severe year recorded to date, 2019, more than 73 million
Reliable cold-chain transport is essential for protecting public health, ensuring the smooth movement of perishable food products across borders and reducing food loss. As governments and industry work to strengthen food safety while reducing waste and emissions, effective international rules for
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has officially acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention), becoming the 62nd Party to the global framework for transboundary water cooperation.Mauritania's decision
Twenty-five years ago today, on 30 October 2001, the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) entered into force. At a celebration held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva that day, children
UNECE advances global road safety and autonomous vehicle regulations during high-level week in China
UNECE’s work on road safety and harmonized vehicle regulations was prominently featured during a week of engagements in China on safe, sustainable, and smart mobility.Launch of the UN Global Road Safety Campaign in ChinaOn 20 October, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt
Accounting for almost half of the world’s primary forests and 60 per cent of global production of wood, the UNECE region holds enormous potential for meeting biodiversity targets through sustainable resource management, biodiversity restoration and conservation. Principles of cascading resource use
Despite progress towards secure, affordable and sustainable energy in the UNECE region, ongoing shocks and uncertainties continue to pose challenges. From 28 September to 1 October, the UNECE Sustainable Energy Week 2026 brought together member States, industry representatives, experts
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safet Mr. Jean Todt, launched the UN-JCDecaux Global Campaign for Road Safety #MakeASafetyStatement in Beijing today. Road safety messages are now live on more than 950 screens in metro systems and airports across China.
One year after adopting the Ministerial Commitments on Housing Affordability and Sustainability, countries across the UNECE region are accelerating efforts to address housing affordability, strengthen resilience and harness digital innovation to support sustainable urban development. Growing
Governments across the UNECE region spend significant public resources every year purchasing goods, services and infrastructure. Across the world, public procurement represents between 13 and 20% of GDP. Used strategically, public procurement can create demand for innovative solutions, open markets
AI is going to permeate urban planning as it has in other forms of intellectual work, including the generation of urban design forms. Exploring its opportunities and challenges, a new paper by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) notes that AI can widen access to high-
Mayors from some 90 cities adopt commitments on mobility, green cities, resilience, housing, heritage and innovation, and urge States to empower local and regional governments to advance sustainable development. At the 6th meeting of the UN Forum of Mayors, held in Geneva on 12-13
From affordable housing and safe and clean mobility to climate resilience and inclusive public spaces, local governments are on the front line of turning global commitments of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into tangible results for people. Some 80 city leaders from around the world
Only about 41 per cent of Tajikistan’s population was served by piped water through water supply and sanitation service providers in 2023; water-related disasters account for more than 70 per cent of natural disasters and over 80 per cent of associated damage; and more than 90 per cent of the
As countries pursue their energy transition and seek to reduce dependance on volatile imported fossil energy resources, energy use is shifting steadily from molecules to electrons, a structural transformation expected to roughly double electricity demand worldwide by 2050. Meeting this
The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, will visit Lisbon on 28 September 2026 to launch the United Nations-JCDecaux Global Campaign for Road Safety, Make a Safety Statement, in Portugal. The campaign will call on all road users to adopt
Many technologies and options that can support the sustainable energy transition are already commercially available, yet their uptake often remains slower than expected, despite information campaigns and financial incentives. To address the barriers that leave the practical and
Recent disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have underscored the importance of diversified and resilient transport networks. As global supply chains face growing uncertainty, efficient inland transport corridors are becoming increasingly important for maintaining the flow of
More than 370 statisticians, disaster risk managers, geospatial and meteorological experts, ministries of finance, central banks and international organizations recently came together for the 6th Global Expert Forum for Producers and Users of Disaster-related Statistics, hosted by UNECE. The
Air pollution kills an estimated 7 million people every year and costs the global economy around USD 6 trillion annually in health-related damages. Yet experts say stronger action on clean air could deliver major health, climate and economic benefits, including returns of up to USD
The Republic of Benin has acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention) during a high-level ceremony at UN headquarters in New York at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Benin is now the 61st
The Central African Republic has taken a decisive step toward joining the UN Water Convention. On 16–17 September, national stakeholders gathered in Bangui to discuss the UN Water Convention's principles and provisions, build national consensus, and agree on the strategic direction for accession
How can countries strengthen energy security and keep energy affordable while continuing the transition towards more sustainable energy systems? This challenge will be at the centre of UNECE Sustainable Energy Week 2026 (SEW2026), taking place from 28 September to 1 October at the
Air pollution remains a major environmental challenge, impacting everything from human health and natural ecosystems to the stability of our climate. To tackle this invisible threat, scientists and environmental experts recently gathered in Geneva for the twelfth joint session of the Steering