DECLARATION FOR THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
adopted on 26 April 2007
We, the member States assembled in Geneva on the occasion of the Sixtieth
Anniversary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on 25
April to 27 April 2007, declare that:
Since its creation, the Economic Commission for Europe has been striving
constantly to fulfil itscore mandate by promoting Pan-European
and Transatlantic cooperation and integration, bringing issues of global
dimension to the regional level, while regularly adjusting its activities
to the geopolitical and economic changes in the region as well as to the
evolving needs of its member States, thereby contributing to the overall
stability in the region.
Member States acknowledge achievements by the Economic Commission for
Europe over these past 60 years in fostering cooperation and integration
and reaffirm their commitment to support and strengthen the effective implementation
of the organization’s mandate and to ensure its continued substantive
relevance, greater visibility and improved transparency.
Acknowledging the identity of the ECE region: its Successes and
Challenges
Over past decades, based on their mutual interdependence, many countries
of the region of the Economic Commission of Europe have made considerable
progress in increasing the standards of living of their population, in
integrating their economies in the region and in the world economy.
Successful processes of deeper regional integration have contributed
significantly to peace and security and have served as a powerful incentive
for adjusting economies of the region to a changing and demanding environment .
The increasing acceptance and promotion of democratic values together
with the choice for market-based economies and the concern for social and
environmental issues have resulted in a significant progress in institution
building and peace in the region. This was also made possible through the
willingness of governments, the work of international organizations, the
strength of the private sector and the dynamism of civil society.
Member States recognize that economic cooperation and integration are
key elements for achieving prosperity, sustainable development and economic
growth in the region. They further recognize that peace and stability,
the observance of human rights and the achievement of internationally agreed
development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals will enhance
economic prosperity in the region.
Further progress on both the political and economic side
needs to be made to reduce existing disparities among member States in
terms of economic and institutional development, and environmental protection.
Setting ECE strategic directions – the way ahead
In line with its core mandate and its areas of work as refined and refocused
by its 2005 reform, the Economic Commission for Europe can substantially
contribute to addressing these challenges by:
Further exercising its role as a multilateral platform which facilitates
greater economic integration and cooperation among its fifty-six member
States and which promotes sustainable development and economic prosperity
through policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments,
development of regulations and norms, exchange and application of best
practices as well as economic and technical expertise and technical cooperation
for countries with economies in transition.
As an integral part of the United Nations, continuing to bring the development
and environmental goals agreed by the international community down to the
regional level, and supporting their implementation with the involvement
of relevant actors making maximum use of the Economic Commission for Europe’s
catalytic role for further intergovernmental action and forging partnerships
with these actors, including with representatives of the civil society
and the private sector.
Contributing to increasing coherence of the United Nations development
work at the regional level , in close cooperation with other entities of
the United Nations family.
Ensuring that the Economic Commission for Europe’s work is rooted
in its sectoral committees and their subsidiary groups which form the major
asset of the organization and constitute the basis for its intergovernmental
work.
Continuing to provide a forum for open dialogue among member States and
other stakeholders within the areas of its competence: sustainable energy
policies and transport development among others.
Assisting countries to implement its intergovernmental outcomes through
sectoral activities and technical cooperation thereby serving as a bridge
for sharing experiences and best practices among member States and to share
actively this work with countries outside the region of the Economic Commission
for Europe.
Supporting regional and subregional integration processes in their endeavours
and in this context:
(a) Welcoming stronger cooperation with the Organisation for Security
and Co-operation in Europe in economic and environment areas.
(b) Contributing its expertise and networks to relevant activities undertaken
within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community and the Neighbourhood
Policy of the European Union.
(c) Taking full advantage of the United Nations Special Programme for
the Economies of Central Asia for improving and strengthening integration
and cooperation within the subregion and with the whole region.
(d) Calling for increased cooperation among existing economic integration
processes in the region.
Further implementing the United Nations’ global mandate on gender
equality by promoting the economics of gender as a factor of sustained
growth.
Evaluating the reform of the organization in 2009 to further promote
effective governance, result based management and a Programme of Work responding
to members’ priorities and needs.
We therefore,
reiterate that cooperation is key for reaching the objective
of well-being of present and future generations and is also a cornerstone
for political stability and durable peace in all parts of the region;
underline that the Economic Commission for Europe is well placed
within Pan-European and Transatlantic architecture to continue to address
transboundary issues, promote prosperity and contribute to building a common
regional economic space ;
commit our renewed support to a re-invigorated organization
as a major forum to meet effectively the changing needs of its member States;
reaffirm that, based on a closer solidarity among all the member
States of the Economic Commission for Europe, the ultimate goal of this
regional cooperation is to build a lasting prosperous and peaceful region.
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For further information please contact:
UNECE Information Service
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)22 917 44 44
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 05 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org/commission/2007/62nd_index.htm
Ref: ECE/GEN/07/P07