3

Spring Seminar on Sustainable Development in the ECE Region
Focal point: Dieter Hesse,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 79

Room XX.
The sixth UNECE Spring Seminar will focus on: "Sustainable Development in the ECE Region". It will be organized in two sessions: one will be devoted to a discussion of "The environmental dimension of economic growth" and the other will focus on "The sectoral dimensions of sustainable development: energy and transport".
Web site: http://www.unece.org/ead/ead_h.htm

4-6

FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
Focal point: Susan Bartolo,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 14 69

Room XX.
The Commission session will first review the current economic situation in the UNECE region. One of the main topics will be "Sustainable development in the UNECE region".
During its High-level policy Segment, the Commission will also take up the "Reform of the UNECE".
The General Segment of the Commission will discuss UNECE's achievements and constraints during 2002 and perspectives for 2003, including information on existing or new cross-sectoral activities; preparation for and follow-up to World and Regional Conferences; technical cooperation; and cooperation and coordination with other organizations. Web site: http://www.unece.org/commission/2003/58th_index.htm

5
(4.30 p.m.)

Gunnar Myrdal Lecture: "The Role of Institutions in Economic Development"
Focal point: Dieter Hesse,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 79

Room XX.
The Commission will suspend its work on Wednesday, 5 March 2003 at 4.30 p.m. in order to listen to the Gunnar Myrdal lecture to be delivered by Professor Douglass C. North, 1993 Nobel Laureate in Economics. Professor North will speak on "The Role of Institutions in Economic Development".

10-11
Brussels

Aarhus Convention Task Force on Access to Justice - first meeting
Focal point: Sofie H. Flensborg,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 26 50

The Task Force on Access to Justice was established by the first meeting of the Parties to the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (21-23 October 2002) to promote effective access to justice under the Convention (decision I/5). At its first meeting, hosted by the lead country, Belgium, the Task Force will address questions with regard to the implementation of access to justice provisions under article 9 of the Convention and consider what activities should be undertaken to support the implementation further.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/pp/a.to.j.htm

10

Administrative Committee for the Coordination of Work (WP.29/AC.2)
Focal point: Jan Jerie,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 22

The 81st session of WP.29/AC.2 should consider the programme of work of WP.29 and of its six subsidiary bodies and give its advice concerning the work to be undertaken.

11-14

World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29)
Focal point: Jan Jerie,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 22

Under the 1958 Agreement, the agenda of the 129th session lists 16 amendments to ECE Regulations and proposals for 7 new ECE Regulations. The global harmonization should continue to be considered in the framework of the 1998 Global Agreement. Future developing and implementation of the 1997 Agreement on periodic technical inspections of road vehicles should also be discussed. Besides, WP.29 will receive reports of its six subsidiary bodies and consider their programme of work. Documents could be consulted in: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp29.htm

17-18

Forum of Women Entrepreneurs
Focal point: Ewa Ruminska-Zimny,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 16 98

The Forum aims at exchanging best practices, raising the awareness and building networks. 300 participants representing women-entrepreneurs, business associations, Governments, international organizations and NGOs are expected. Main themes of this year's Forum are financing women's businesses and access to E-technology countries. At the closing session, UNECE Awards of Excellent Women Entrepreneurs will be granted to winners in six categories by Ms. Brigita Schmgnerov, the UNECE Executive Secretary. Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/enterp/women/forum2.htm

17-19
Oslo

Expert Group on POPs Assessment under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (4th meeting)
Focal point: Henning Wuester,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 23 63

The Expert Group will review available information relating to the existing obligations for substances listed in annex I, II or III to the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). It will also discuss information provided by national experts on substances that may be proposed for addition to the Protocol after technical evaluation of this material. Web site: www.unece.org/env/popsxg

18

Meeting of the CEI Working Group on SMEs
Focal point: Antal Szab,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 71

Based on the MOU between the Secretariats of the CEI and UNECE, the representatives of the Group will discuss its programme of work for the year 2003.

19

Team of Specialists on Women's Entrepreneurship
Focal point: Ewa Ruminska-Zimny,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 16 98

The agenda of the third meeting of TOS includes adoption of reports of sub-committees on projects and best practices and on networks; election of TOS officials for 2003 and discussion of the work plan in the context of results of the Second Forum of Women Entrepreneurs.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/enterp/women/tos.htm

19

Forum on Best Practice in the Development of Entrepreneurship and SMEs: The Croatian and Slovenian Experience
Focal point: Antal Szab,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 71

Web site: http://www.unece.org/indust/sme/crsl-forum.htm

19-21

Working Party on the Standardization of Technical and Safety Requirements in Inland Navigation
Focal point: Viatcheslav Novikov,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 78

Revision of the Recommendations on Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation Vessels and elaboration of minimum manning requirements in inland navigation. Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/sc3/wp3/wp3age.html

20-21

Expert Meeting on How to Become a Supplier of Large Enterprises and Transnational Corporations
Focal point: Antal Szab,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 71

20-21

This Group was set up by the Executive Body of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in order to prepare for the review of the 1988 Protocol on Heavy Metals. The Expert Group, to be led by Germany, will bring together experts from Parties to the Convention, as well as representatives of international organizations, environmental NGOs and trade associations dealing with especially the emissions of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury and their environmental and health effects. The first meeting is expected to produce a work-plan for the Expert Group and to assess the scientific basis for the review of the HMs Protocol.

21

Under Working Party on Technical Harmonization and Standardization Policies (WP.6).
Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/stdpol

22

2^nd Meeting of the Team of Specialists on Quality Management Systems
Focal point: Antal Szab,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 71

Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/quams.htm

24-25

Meeting of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Early and Ware Potatoes
Focal point: Tom Heilandt,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 50

Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/agr/meetings/ge.05/a2003_16.htm

24-27
Poiana Prasov, Romania

Seminar on Strategies for the Sound Use of Wood
Focal point: Helena Simkova,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 39 22

Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/docs/sem-1/sem-1.htm

24-28
Berne

Joint Meeting of the RID Safety Committee and the ECE Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Focal point: Olivier Kervella,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 56

Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/ac1/ac1age.html

26-28

Meeting of Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes
Focal point: Tom Heilandt,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 50

Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/agr/meetings/ge.06/a2003_33.htm

27-28

Ad Hoc Meeting of the Multidisciplinary Group of Experts on Safety in Tunnels (rail)
Focal point: Miodrag Pesut,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 41 36

The Group will discuss the first draft of the Recommendations on safety in rail tunnels. Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/ac9/ac9age.html

27-28
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

BSEC Workshop on Promotion of SMEs - Strategic Direction in the Development of Youth Entrepreneurship
Focal point: Antal Szab,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 24 71

Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/wp8/entpover.htm

31-2 April

Consultation on European Comparison Programme
Focal point: Tihomira Dimova,
Tel: + 41 (0) 22 917 19 06

The Consultation will discuss the results of 2000 rounds of comparisons within the ECE region. It will also review the preparation of the global 2004 ICP round and recent methodological developments.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/stats/documents/2003.03.ecp.htm

31-3 April

Working Party on Road Traffic Safety
Focal points: Marie-Nolle Poirier,
Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 32 59 &
Christopher Smith, Tel. 917 32 98

The Working Party will continue examination of proposals to amend the Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic and on Road Signs and Signals and the European Agreements supplementing them. It will also discuss the Fourth Road Safety Week in the UNECE Region (5-11 April 2004) and the issue of security and transport.
Web site http://www.unece.org/trans/roadsafe/wp1age.html