3-6

UN/CEFACT Steering Group
Focal point: Mika Vepslinen,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 31 97

The first meeting of the CSG in 2003 will prepare the 9th Plenary session of UN/CEFACT to be held 12-13 May 2003.

3(pm)-7(pm)

Working Party on Brakes and Running Gear, 53rd session
Focal point: Juan Ramos Garcia,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 19 98

The 53rd session of GRRF is scheduled to consider a range of items proposed to improve regulatory provisions concerning vehicle braking, handling and stability, steering, and tyres. A report on the work of a special working group on worldwide harmonization on motorcycle braking requirements is to be considered. The proposals, listed in the agenda, refer to all categories of vehicles, including also motorcycles, agricultural tractors and electric vehicles. Web site: select GRRF in http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp29.htm

4
(3 p.m.)

Briefing by Executive Secretary to Missions
Focal point: Susan Bartolo,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 14 69

4

Extended Bureau meeting of the Committee for Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development
Focal points: Eleanor Loukass,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 26 60 &
Virginia Cram-Martos, Tel: 917 27 45

To finalize documents and preparations for the May 2003 session of the Committee and to discuss "Strengthening the Organization".

4-7

Working Party on Customs Questions affecting Transport, 102nd session
Focal point: Poul Hansen,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 32 58

The Working Party will review the status of the 14 UN Conventions in the field of border crossing facilitation, which are administered by the Working Party. In particular, the Working Party will consider and possibly adopt a new annex on efficient border crossing procedures to the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods, the status of the Conventions on Temporary Importation of Private and Commercial Road Vehicles, and the progress in the current revision of the TIR Convention as well as a large number of issues relating to the application of the TIR Customs transit procedure.
Web site: http://border.unece.org

6-7

TIR Administrative Committee, 33rd session
Focal point: Martin Magold,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 53

The TIR Administrative Committee, the highest administrative organ representing all 63 Contracting States and the European Community to the TIR Convention is convened at least twice a year and is serviced by the ECE secretariat. At its spring session, the Committee will review the activities, of its executive organ, the TIR Executive Board (TIRExB), provide guidance for all work to be undertaken under the present Phase III of the TIR revision process and adopt amendment proposals and comments to the text of the TIR Convention, 1975.
Web site: http://border.unece.org

6-7

Administrative Committee for the "Harmonization" Convention,
5th session
Focal point: Martin Magold,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 53

The Administrative Committee for the "Harmonization" Convention, 1982, the highest administrative organ representing all 42 Contracting States and the European Community to the "Harmonization" Convention is serviced by the ECE secretariat. At its spring session, the Committee will review and decide on the proposal for a new annex on efficient border crossing procedures, provide guidance for all work to be undertaken in relation to the Convention and adopt any amendment proposals and comments to the text of the Convention.
Web site: http://border.unece.org

12

Team of Specialists on Industrial Restructuring
Focal point: Iouri Adjoubei,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 88

The second meeting of the Team will assess the programme implementation and discuss the preparations for the TOSIR's forthcoming events.

12

Team of Specialists on Entrepreneurship in Poverty Alleviation
Focal point: Antal Szab,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 71

The TOS focus on youth entrepreneurship development in the UNECE region. Aims and agenda of meeting available at: http://www.unece.org/operact/enterp/youthen.htm

12

Workshop on E-Regulations: E-Security and Knowledge Economy
Focal point: Daewon Choi,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 74

12

Team of Specialists on Internet Enterprise Development
Focal point: Daewon Choi,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 74

13-14

Working Party on Industry and Enterprise Development
Focal point: Iouri Adjoubei,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 88

The fourth meeting of the Working Party will listen to the reports from its expert groups on the programme implementation and decide on its future programme of work.

17

Expert Group on Environmental Performance Reviews
Focal point: Mary Pat Silveira,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 13 15

The Expert Group will undertake a review of the Environmental Performance of Georgia.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/epr/welcome.htm

17-19

ECE/Eurostat/OECD Meeting on the Management of Statistical Information Technology
Focal point: Juraj Riecan,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 33 28

The main objectives of the regular meetings on management of statistical information systems are the following:

- To provide a forum for the exchange of experiences among informatics managers from National Statistical Offices and other government agencies and international organizations undertaking statistical activities.

- To make recommendations in order to coordinate the activities of different international organizations in the area of statistical information processing.

- To collect, discuss and make available the practices in the management of statistical information processing, as well as to encourage the exchange of practices in all other particular areas included in Programme Activity 2 of the Integrated Presentation.

- To assess the activities undertaken within all programme elements included in Programme Activity 2 of the Integrated Presentation, and to make recommendations on future directions of work within these programme elements to the Bureau and the Conference of European Statisticians.

- To facilitate and encourage the implementation of standards and recommendations in the field of statistical computing among national statistical offices and other concerned agencies in the UNECE region.

Web site: http://www.unece.org/stats/documents/2003.02.msit.htm

18-19

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY - Special Session
Focal point: Christina von Schweinichen,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 23 88

Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/cep/2003specialsession.html

18-20

INLAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, 65th session
Focal point: Helmut Lehmacher,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 34

At its 65th session, the Inland Transport Committee will consider the results of the discussions held in its subsidiary bodies dealing with a wide range of infrastructure, regulatory, economic and technical questions concerning road, rail, inland water and combined transport. In this connection, the Committee will also address items related to international legal instruments, as well as to the analytical reports established by its subsidiary bodies.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/itc/itc_age.html

20-21

Working Group of Senior Officials "Environment for Europe"
Focal point: Mary Pat Silveira,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 13 15

The WGSO is expected to decide on the final agenda of and documentation for the Fifth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" (May 2003, Kiev).
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/efe/welcome.html

24-25

Round Table on Overcoming Obstacles to the Development of an Information Society: A Business Solution
Focal point: Larissa Kapitsa,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 42 21

The main objective of the Round Table, organized jointly with UNDP, is to bring together representatives of the corporate sector and the relevant governmental organizations for a discussion of possible solutions that business could suggest; to identify constraints facing the corporate sector and Governments which prevent these solutions from being implemented. The Round Table will look into possibilities of cooperation between the private and public sector, drawing upon success stories and national experiences. It will also consider cross-regional opportunities for cooperation in overcoming divides and obstacles to the development of an information society in economies in transition. Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/meetings/round/introduction.html

24-25

Meeting of NIS National Focal Points on Environmental Monitoring
Focal point: Mikhail Kokine,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 23 47

The meeting will discuss the application of indicators in environmental assessments and reporting.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/europe/

24-26

FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics
Focal point: Christopher Prins,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 28 74

To provide guidance to ECE/FAO work in the areas of markets and statistics for forest products, forest resource assessment and forest sector outlook studies. A major focus will be the evaluation of the main outlook study outcomes. To be followed by meeting of Intersecretariat Working Group on Forest Sector Statistics (27-28), with participation of FAO, Eurostat and International Tropical Timber Organization to manage joint forest sector questionnaire for 2003. Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/docs/stats-25/stats-25.htm

26-27

Intergovernmental Working Group on Civil Liability, 7th meeting
Focal point: Sergiusz Ludwiczak,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 31 74

Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/civil-liability/meetings-working-group.html

26-28

The Bureau will meet to discuss on-going activities of the International Cooperative Programmes and the preparation of a substantive report on air pollution effects. It is expected to make decisions regarding preparations for the 22nd session of the Working Group in August.

26-28

The Bureau will discuss the implementation of the 2003 work plan of EMEP. It will, in particular, consider the preparations for the review of the Eulerian atmospheric model and the new EMEP monitoring strategy. It will examine the use of resources by the EMEP centres in 2002 and the state of mandatory contributions by Parties to the EMEP Protocol.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/emep/welcome.html