On 8 March 2013, ESCWA commemorated International Women’s Day in its Beirut headquarters, in the presence of UN officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations working on women’s rights, and a host of activists, media and academia. The Commission held a panel discussion to speak up against violence against women, consisting of ESCWA Deputy Executive Secretary Nadim Khoury, Senior ESCWA Economist Abdallah Al Dardari, Former Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Wafa Al Diqa Hamzeh, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the International Centre for Transitional Justice Anne Massagee, and Director of KAFA Enough Violence and Exploitation Zoya Rouhana. Director of the ESCWA Centre for Women (ECW) Samira Atallah delivered the introductory statement of the meeting.

For her part, Atallah expressed her desolation that despite repeated cases of violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, early and forced marriage, honor killings, female genital mutilation, trafficking in persons, and discrimination in economic rights, this issue cannot be defined with precision in the region. The reasons behind this is the absence of comprehensive statistical studies, fear of social stigma, lack of trust in the legal protection system, and the lack of knowledge and awareness of available services. She said that the courage to face up to these violations against women takes source in the courage of women and girls, and in many cases of men who take a supporting stands and initiatives. The ECW Director underlined that the responsibility of eliminating violence against women is not that of the state alone, but it also lies within every member of the society, and every organization, whether governmental, semi-governmental, or non-governmental.

In her intervention, Rouhana laid out the principle of “due diligence” and the commitment of states in eliminating violence against women in times of peace. Al Dika Hamze highlighted the role of national machineries in empowering women in preventing and eliminating these violations, especially in rural areas and among the most marginalized groups.

In assertion of the important economic aspect of violence against women and girls, Dardari shed light on the economic repercussions of this case, especially since this issue is not taking its due right in full attention in the region.

Finally, Massagee dealt with issues related to protecting women during and in post-conflicts periods. Following these interventions, Fateh Azzam, Human Rights Expert and Former Regional Representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Middle East, moderated a panel discussions with the participants in terms of international human rights law.

Published: 27 February 2013

On the occasion of the 75th Jubilee session of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), a high-level Ministerial meeting was held on 26 February 2013. More than fifty Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other high-level officials from across Europe and Asia gathered in Geneva to endorse the final report of Phase II of the Euro-Asian Transport Links (EATL) project. The report identifies overland transport routes that could save both time and costs of delivery of freight and trade between two continents. In addition, the Ministers and other heads of delegations from thirty two countries signed a Declaration future cooperation on the EATL project.

The EATL Phase II report identified 9 rail and 9 road routes between Europe and Asia as well as 17 water transport links, and several inland and maritime ports. Road and rail routes are new versions of the “old silk road”, but they are extended far beyond this traditional lifeline of ancient times. EATL road and rail routes will stretch eastward from Central and Eastern Europe all the way to Russian ports on East Sea, Chinese ports on Eastern China Sea, and southward toward Iran and Pakistan and their ports in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The routes will criss-cross the land mass between Europe and Asia thus connecting regions and countries that have so far suffered from lack of access to seaports and good transport connections to their neighbours.

The project resulted in a multi-country transport investment plan, which is the outcome of the review and prioritization of 311 priority projects The total cost of these projects is over US $200 billion. Out of them, 188 projects have been identified as high priority requiring special attention. Their estimated costs are US $78 billion.

In addition, The EATL project had other tangible results, all included in the study that was launched during the Ministerial meeting. Among them, you can find the Geographic Information System (GIS) data base which is an innovative feature in the project that governments may wish to use and further develop in their national planning processes. Furthermore, the comparison of maritime and land transport – described in details in the publication – has challenged   conventional wisdom that maritime transport is per se more competitive than land transport. A door-to-door approach however, showed that railway transport between Europe and Asia can be a viable alternative both in terms of time and cost.  Accordingly, maritime transport is cost-effective, but in most cases standard deliveries take up to 30 days port-to-port while hinterland connections may pose a challenge. Being twice as fast as maritime transport, railways could provide a viable alternative for Euro-Asian freight transport, and could also deliver door-to-door. In addition, costs could be reduced between 10 and 30 per cent compared to maritime transport.

Mr. Sven Alkalaj, Executive Secretary of the UNECE said: “Development of Euro-Asian transport links is a long-term process which requires, first and foremost, strong political will and commitment of the countries concerned, as well as careful use of scarce financial resources”. He also added: “This makes it a complex exercise, requiring Governments to strike a balance with other national priorities and weigh them with international interests. They also need to ascertain the economic, social and environmental net benefits, coordinate programmes and timetables in close cooperation with neighbouring countries, as well as to balance private sector versus public participation, all while factoring-in security considerations”.

Mr. Yang Zan, Director-General of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, said … that “the early realization of Euro-Asian Transport Linkage and transport facilitation will be beneficial to the economic and social development of Euro-Asian countries. However, we are also aware that there still exist in practice many difficulties to be tackled. The Chinese government greatly appreciates the measures taken by UNECE in this respect”…. and that “China is ready to work with all the interested parties to make more contribution to the economic development and social progress in the region”.

Mr. R. V. Sklyar, deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Kazakhstan, said that, due to its geographical position at the crossroads of routes between Europe, China, Japan and South-East Asia, Russia, Turkey, Persian Gulf, and Black Sea, Kazakhstan attaches great importance to development of transport infrastructure and invests considerable amount of financial resources in 5 major transport corridors, which are part of EATL links, passing through his country.

Another part of the report brings out analysis of non-physical obstacles to international transport between Europe and Asia. A comprehensive set of recommendations concludes this analysis highlighting remedies for concrete obstacles at border crossings, along transport route corridors as well as logistics obstacles. As an integral part of the project, a Geographic Information System (GIS) data-base was set up and GIS maps developed showing the planned projects.

The Phase II of the EATL project which has recently been completed covered 27 countries[1], with more countries expected to join the project in the next phase. By signing the Declaration, Ministers reiterated their support to Phase III of the project, which would focus on specific trade and transport facilitation measures to make EATL links not only more efficient and attractive to investors, but also contribute to faster economic growth, increased employment and better regional connectivity. Mr. Sergey Aristov, Secretary of State – Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, outlined the focus of the Phase III of the project, by underlying market oriented analysis, investigation of trade flows attracted to EATL routes and issues related to application of modern technologies and innovations.

For further information on Ministerial meeting visit: http://www.unece.org/trans/events/2013/itc75_2013/ministerial_meeting.html

You can download the full EATL report at:

You may also contact:

The Approach was designed to enable the UNRCs to present a joint (global) view on key Trade Facilitation issues – particularly from the regional and interregional level, and especially in relation to capacity building needs and approaches. This is particularly important in the contect of the ongoing discussions on Trade Facilitation in the WTO Doha Round.

Also it was considered that, as supply chains are becoming increasingly global, a joint approach to trade facilitation policy development and implementation would enhance the effectiveness of UNRC technical assistance and capacity building initiatives in own region. The representatives of all five RCs met in Geneva in December 2011 and confirmed the value of the initiative and their readiness of working together.

Expected Deliverables:

• Joint UNRC view on key Trade Facilitation issues
• Joint Package of information and capacity building resources on Trade Facilitation issues
• Coordination and cooperation on Trade Facilitation work and Capacity Building
• Dissemination of information on UNRC activities in Trade Facilitation
• Coordination with key UN and related agencies on TF

The Joint Capacity Building Package includes the following components (information and capacity building resources provided by respective Regional Commissions.

Click here for direct link to UNECE Page

Click here to download

• Green Growth and Sustainable Development: Regional Perspectives

• Contributions of Regional Commissions to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012

• Regional Calendar of Events

• Towards a more coherent institutional framework for the UN system’s environmental activities views and role of the regional commissions (May 2006)

• Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Statement on behalf of the UN Regional Commissions

Related Links

• ECLAC Rio + 20 Home Page
• ECA Rio +20 Home page

ESCAP

1. Low Carbon Development Path for Asia and the Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities to the Energy Sector

2. Guidelines on Developing Eco-efficient and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure in Asia and Latin America

3. Forthcoming report:  Green Growth, Resources and Resilience. Download preview

4. Payments for ecosystem services

5. Eco-efficiency Indicators

6. Greening growth in Asia and the Pacific

7. Ministerial declaration on environment and development in Asia and the Pacific, 2010

8. Regional implementation plan for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific, 2011-2015, and supportive initiatives

9. Astana “Green Bridge” initiative

ECE

Aarhus Convention: Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters:

• Almaty Declaration
• Almaty Guidelines on PFIF
• Riga Declaration
• Strategic Plan 2009-2014
• Global and regional developments promoting principle 10

The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention)

• Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change
• Recommendations on Payments for Ecosystem Services in Integrated Water Resources Management
• Strategies for monitoring and assessment of transboundary rivers, lakes and groundwaters
• Guidelines on Sustainable Flood Prevention
  Water management: Guidance on public participation and compliance with agreements

Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991):  ESPOO Convention

• Text of the UNECE Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment
• UNECE at a glance: Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (information for States interested in becoming Party to the Protocol)

Industrial Accidents Convention

• The Assistance Programme under the Convention
• The Report on the implementation of the Convention in 2008-2009
• Benchmarks for the implementation of the Convention

Housing and Land Management

• Action Plan for Energy-Efficient Housing in the UNECE Region (2010)
• Policy Framework for Sustainable Real Estate Markets: Principles and guidance for the development of a country’s real estate sector (2010)
• The Relationship Between Population and Housing
• Green Homes: Towards Energy-Efficient Housing in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Region (2009)
• Self-Made Cities: In search of sustainable solutions for informal settlements in the UNECE region (2009)
• Spatial Planning – Key Instrument for Development and Effective Governance with Special Reference to Countries in Transition (2008)

Sustainable Energy

• ECE Energy Series No. 32. Financing Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation Project. Investor Interest and Capacity Building Needs (2009): –  (English)
• ECE Energy Series No. 37. Financing Global Climate Change Mitigation (2010)
• Regional Analysis of Policy Reforms to Promote Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments (2010)
• Executive Summary of Regional Analysis of Policy Reforms to Promote Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments (2010)
  - (English)
• Strategy Study on Inter-Fuel Substitution implemented in the Kolpashevo municipality (2009) – (English)
• Potential and Best Alternatives for Investments in Implementing Interfuel Substitution in the Federal District of Siberia, Russian Federation (2010) – (English)

Statistics

• Measuring Sustainable Development
• Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators in Eastern Europe Caucasus and Central Asia, endorsed by the ‘Environment for Europe’ Ministerial Conference, 2007

Forestry and Timber

• “Forest Products Annual Market Review 2009-2010”(2010)
• “Private Forest Ownership in Europe”(2010)
• “The Forest Sector in the Green Economy”(2010)
• “Good practice and guidance on the sustainable mobilization of wood in Europe”   (2010)
• “Potential Sustainable Wood Supply in Europe”(2009)
• “European Forest Sector Outlook Study: Trends 2000-2005 Compared to the EFSOS Scenarios”(2007)
• “State of Europe’s Forest 2007:The MCPFE Report on Sustainable Forest Management in Europe Jointly prepared by the MCPFE Liaison Unit Warsaw and UNECE/FAO”(2007)

Transport
Publication on Sustainable Transport in the UNECE region expected in March 2011

Gender

Beijing +15 Regional Review of Progress Synthesis Report

MDGs

The MDGs in Europe and Central Asia: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward

ECLAC

I. Highlight Publication(s)

• Time for equality: closing gaps, opening trails (2010)

II. Annual Overviews/Reports

• Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean (May 2011)

• Statistical Yearbook for Latin America and the Caribbean (December 2010)

• Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2010 (December 2010)

• Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2009-2010 (December 2010)

• Social Panorama of Latin America 2010 (November 2010)

• Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2009-2010 (July 2010)

III. Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean 20 years on from the Earth Summit: progress, gaps and strategic guidelines/Preliminary Version (2011)

• Regional Panorama Latin America, Megacities and Sustainability (December 2010)

• Caribbean Regional Report for the Five-Year Review of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (MSI+5) (May 2010)

• Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Trends, Progress, and Challenges in Sustainable Consumption and Production, Mining, Transport, Chemicals and Waste Management. Report to the eighteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development of the United Nations (April 2010)

• Evolution of Sustainable Development Policies in the State of Amazonas, 2006-2009 (March 2010) (Currently available in print form only.)

• Guía de evaluación ambiental estratégica (November 2009)

• Financing for Sustainable Development. Visions and Proposals for Action From a Latin American and Caribbean Perspective (April 2003)

• Financing for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. From Monterrey to Johannesburg (August 2002)

• The Sustainability of Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges and Opportunities (July 2002)

 IV. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

• Millennium Development Goals: Advances in Environmentally Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (January 2010)

• Achieving the Millennium Development Goals with Equality in Latin America and the Caribbean: Progress and Challenges (August 2010)

• Contribution of Energy Services to the Millennium Development Goals and to Poverty Alleviation in Latin America and the Caribbean (January 2010)l

• Millennium Development Goals. Progress towards the right to health in Latin America and the Caribbean (September 2008)

• Millennium Development Goals 2006: a Look at Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (December 2007)

• The Millennium Development Goals: a Latin American and Caribbean Perspective (June 2005)

• Regional Report on the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in the Caribbean Community (September 2004)

• Meeting the Millennium Poverty Reduction Targets in Latin America and the Caribbean (December 2002)

V. Economics of Climate Change

• Vital Climate Change Graphics for Latin America and the Caribbean (2010)

• Economics of Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean, Summary 2010 (December 2010)

• Economics of Climate Change in Central America, Summary 2010 (November 2010)    

• Climate Change: A Regional Perspective (February 2010)

• La Economía del Cambio Climático en Chile. Síntesis (November 2009)

• Economics of Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean, Sumary (2010)

• Economics of Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean, Summary 2009 (November 2009)

VI. Others

• What kind of State? What kind of equality? (July 2010)

• Opportunities for Convergence and Regional Cooperation (February 2010)

• The Reactions of the Governments of the Americas to the International Crisis: an Overview of Policy Measures up to 31 December 2009 (January 2010)

• Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2008 – 2009. Crisis and opportunities for regional cooperation (December 2009)

ESCWA

• Green Economy in the Arab Region: Overall Concept and Available Options

• Green Jobs Kick-Off Workshop in the Arab States: The Lebanon Case Study

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Working with their UN and other regional partners, the Regional Commissions are mobilizing their normative, analytical and technical capacities to undertake collaborative initiatives and actions to assist Member States to develop coherent development policies that tackle climate change, including through the assessment of the economic impacts of climate change, evaluating the costs of mitigation and adaptation measures and exploring options for climate change financing. An overview of these actions and initiatives in each region will be presented during the dialogue with the Second Committee.

(Please click and download the following documents below for your information)

Financing Global Climate Change Mitigation (Joint Publication)

The United Nations Regional Commissions and Climate Change Challenges (Joint Publication)

Brochure – Climate Change: Supporting Actions at the Regional Level

Flyer

Powerpoint Presentations

ECE

ESCAP

ECLAC

ECA

ESCWA

Abstracts

ECE

ESCAP

ECLAC

ECA

ESCWA

Powerpoint Presentations

ECA

ESCAP

ESCWA

ECLAC

ECE

Roundtable Presentations

ECA

ESCAP

ESCWA

Downloads:

Flyer

Concept Note

Tentative Programme

List of Confirmed Speakers

ECA

• Assessing Progress in Africa towards the Millennium Development Goals, 2010

• ECA and African Union, Economic Report on Africa 2010, “Promoting high-level sustainable growth to reduce unemployment in Africa.”

• Assessing Progress in Africa towards the Millennium
  Development Goals Report 2009

• Assessing Progress in Africa towards the Millennium
  Development Goals Report 2008

• Accelerating Africa’s Growth and Development to meet the MDGs:
  Emerging Challenges and the way forward

ESCAP

• “Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in an Era of Uncertainty”, Asia-Pacific, Regional Report 2009/10
• Delivering As One: Asia-Pacific Regional MDG Road Map 2008–2015

• A Future WIthin Reach 2008 Regional Partnerships for the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific

ECLAC

• ECLAC, Summary, 2010 report on progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean
• The sustainability of development in Latin America and the Caribbean: challenges and opportunities
• “Time for Equality: Closing gaps, opening trails,” Thirty third session of the Commission, May 2010

• Millennium Development Goals 2006: A Look at Gender Equality and Women’s Autonomy

ECE

• The MDGs in Europe and Central Asia: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forwards (2010)

• The Millennium Development Goals: The Way Ahead – A Pan European Perspective (2006)

ESCWA

• ESCWA and the League of Arab States, “The Millennium Development Goals in the Arab region 2007: A Youth Lens”

Global

• World Bank, Global Monitoring Report 2009: A Development Emergency, MDGs: Crisis Impact and Outlook
• See United Nations Children’s Fund, “Progress for Children: A Report Card on Maternal Mortality, No.7 UNICEF, New York, 2008