Geneva, Switzerland
Information to the Delegates:
An identification badge and information pack can be collected from the "UNECE welcome desk" as from 07:30hrs. on Monday, 30 August 2010 at the Forum Venue
Welcome Message from the Executive Secretary
It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to the 17th Forum of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT).
Trade facilitation, commercial and governmental business processes and electronic business standards are vital factors in the development of world trade and, therefore, central to the remit of the UNECE. Acting as the focal point within the United Nations for these matters, the UNECE established UN/CEFACT with the mandate to achieve improved worldwide coordination and cooperation in these areas and to undertake, within its mandate, work of global relevance that meets current and future demands.
UN/CEFACT is thus an important intergovernmental body of the UNECE that works to improve the ability of business, trade and administrative organizations, from developed, developing and transition economies, to exchange products and relevant services effectively. Its focus is on facilitating national and international transactions, through the simplification and harmonization of processes, procedures and information flows, thus contributing to the growth of global commerce. For this purpose, UN/CEFACT and its Forum develop trade facilitation recommendations, eBusiness standards and supporting technical specifications – in a process of close collaboration between governments and the private sector.
UN/CEFACT Forum sessions are held bi-annually in different locations throughout the world. This time, the 17th Forum is being held in Geneva at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) from 30 August to 3 September 2010. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Swiss authorities for allowing the UNECE to use the facilities of the CICG for this important event.
I am confident that this Forum will provide an excellent opportunity for the further development of UN/CEFACT instruments, for taking important decisions relating to UN/CEFACT structures and processes and for reaching out to the “Geneva constituency” of UN/CEFACT, including Permanent Missions based in Geneva.
The United Nations, through its Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), undertakes work on a global level to support activities dedicated to improving the ability of business, trade and administrative organizations, from developed, developing and transition economies, to exchange products and relevant services effectively.
UN/CEFACT has a mandate to work globally with a principal focus on facilitating national and international transactions, through the simplification and harmonization of processes, procedures and information flows over the entire trade transaction chain, and so contributes to the growth of global commerce.
The UN/CEFACT Forum, held twice a year, is a meeting of all permanent UN/CEFACT expert groups at one time in the same location and facilitates close liaison and full interaction as a single working body. These UN/CEFACT expert groups develop trade facilitation Recommendations, eBusiness Standards and their supporting Technical Specifications.
The Forum, is managed by a Forum Management Group (FMG) and is a constituent body of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), which is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The 17th session of the UN/CEFACT Forum will be held at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) from 30 August to 3 September 2010. A Forum session, which is the concurrent meeting of UN/CEFACT's Permanent Groups and their sub-groups, is held bi-annually in different locations throughout the world. Information on previous Forums is available at http://www.unece.org/cefact/cf_forums/index.htm
Registration for the Forum is now officially open (please see the relevant button on the right menu). Links to lists of hotels and information on visas and other relevant matters are also provided on the right menu.
The 17th UN/CEFACT Forum is scheduled to be held at the “Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG)” or International Conference Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 August - 3 September 2010. The event will be opened at 09:00 hours on Monday, 30 August 2010 and is expected to close in the afternoon of Friday, 3 September 2010.
Forum Week Schedule as .pdf
Forum Schedule day-by-day: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Agendas of the Working Groups:
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Briefing for Geneva based Missions (31 August 2010, morning) - Registration form Programme
Briefing for Technical Experts (31 August 2010, afternoon) - Registration form Programme
ACCOMMODATION & RELATED INFORMATION |
List of Hotels in Geneva and neighbouring France as downloadable .pdf file |
Participants to the Forum are advised to book their accommodation early. Some of the hotels listed may apply United Nations preferential rates. |
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TRANSPORTATION |
Free travel from the airport |
Public transport (transports publics genevois) |
Taxis: |
Transport to the venue (CICG)
Public transport from Cornavain main railway station :
Access to the Public Transport website |
VISA INFORMATION |
General information about embassies |
Direct links are provided here to two documents containing visa information provided by the Swiss Federal Office for Migration website. List 1: Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (version of 25 May 2010) List 2: ID and visa provisions – particularities regardless of nationality (version of 25 May 2010) Further information can be found on this site at http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/merkblatt_einreise.html |
CONTACT
UNECE Secretariat
Mr. Rajan Dhanjee
Secretary to the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT)
Opening Plenary | |
Welcome Address | |
Future direction and organization of the UN/CEFACT | |
Lunch & Learn | |
TBG6 on Recommendation 37: Security for XML Documents | |
User Guide on CCTS 3 and NDR 3 | |
Briefing for Diplomats from Geneva-based Permanent Missions | |
UN/CEFACT in the UN structure | |
Overview of UN/CEFACT | |
UN/CEFACT deliverables | |
UNECE trade-facilitation tools and capacity-building, and the joint approach of the UN regional commissions | |
United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific | |
Trade Facilitation in the Transition Economies | |
Technical briefing on “UN/CEFACT Standards and Recommendations” | |
Framework of Recommendations for Trade Facilitation and Overview of current Projects | |
Technical Framework Supporting eBusiness Standards and Overview of current Projects | |
Framework of Business Standards and Overview of current Projects | |
Framework of Core Components Library (CCL), and UN Trade Data Element Directory (UNTDED) | |
Gap Analysis Results and Other Developments | |
Gap Analysis Results | |
Technical Frameworks | |
UN/CEFACT Standards Development Advisory Team (CSDAT) Findings and Recommendations | |
Online Registry Developments | |
Closing Plenary | |
