UNECE and UN Road Safety Envoy call for global use of UN helmet standard to save millions of lives

Wearing quality helmets reduces the risk of death for drivers and passengers of powered two- and three-wheelers by over six times and reduces the risk of brain injury by up to 74%. UN Regulation No. 22 has provided countries with the blueprint to legislate the use of tested and certified helmets for over 50 years. Already applied in 43 countries, millions of lives could be saved through the worldwide application of this standard. As governments and stakeholders gathered the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech on 18-20 February, UNECE and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, launched a call for widespread enforcement of UN Regulation 22.?The call comes in the context of rapid motorization in many low- and middle-income countries in the last 20-30 years and increased use of two- and three-wheelers. Motorcycles comprise nearly 70% of the national vehicle fleet in countries, such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines and China. Read more

Transport

Germany agrees to sign the UN Convention on the Contract for international Carriage of Goods by Rail

The Government of Germany has agreed to sign the United Nations Convention on the International Carriage of Goods by Rail, which provides the only internationally comprehensive uniform regulations for rail transport. As the Convention enables companies that transport goods by rail to choose internationally standardized rules for the processing of freight contracts, Germany's accession will strengthen legal certainty, minimize bureaucratic effort, and reduce costs. Germany is closely intertwined with the global economy and the transport of goods is of great importance for its economy. The signing of the Convention will help the country to eliminate the competitive disadvantage of rail freight transport, and promote the smooth running of goods, especially on long-haul routes to Asia. Togo and The Netherlands have already signed the Convention. Read more

Forests

UNECE guide highlights the potential benefits of food trees in urban areas

UNECE's new guide “The Edible City: Why Food Trees Matter” explores the multifaceted benefits of incorporating food-producing trees into urban landscapes. Its emphasizes the role of urban forests in enhancing food security, improving community well-being, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.?Food trees not only provide nutritious food for urban residents but can also contribute to a healthier environment, stronger communities, and a more sustainable urban future.?The guide highlights the key potential benefits of incorporating food trees into urban areas which include Enhanced Food Security, Improved Community Well-being; Climate Change Mitigation, Biodiversity Enhancement, and Improved Urban Aesthetics. The guide provides valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders on how to integrate food trees into urban landscapes effectively. Read more

Publication of the Week

Energy

How UNECE tools help shift to more sustainable critical raw materials governance

The global landscape of critical raw materials (CRMs) governance is undergoing a profound transformation. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETMs) aims to catalyze a shift from extractive, short-term policies to a model prioritizing equity, sustainability, and industrial transformation. The UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the UN Resource Management System (UNRMS), developed at UNECE, provide practical tools to make this a reality on the ground.?Recent discussions at the International Round Table on Materials Criticality 2025 Conference (IRTC), themed “From Raw Material Policies to Practice,” together with the workshop on North-South Collaboration in CRMs, highlighted trends in the transition from resource extraction to more responsible resource stewardship.?Read more

Public-private partnerships

UNECE, ECA and ECLAC support countries to align PPP and infrastructure projects with SDGs

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development faces unprecedented challenges due to cascading crises that threaten global progress. Infrastructure plays a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs. However, the infrastructure gap remains massive, particularly in developing countries which face an annual gap of USD 2.5 trillion. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are a key tool to help bridge this gap, but to contribute to sustainable development, PPPs must be “fit for purpose” for the SDGs. In collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, UNECE is leveraging its PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS) to strengthen the capacity of public officials across six countries – Chile, Dominican Republic, Tajikistan, Uganda, Ukraine, and Zambia – to identify and develop sustainable infrastructure projects through PPPs.?Read more?

Upcoming Events

World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations

4 - 7 March 2025

86th meeting of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee

11 - 14 March 2025

52nd session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes

18 - 20 March 2025