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Representatives of Central Asian countries are in Kazakhstan this week to discuss how to work closely together to grow their economies, which have been buffeted by the continued COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical crisis, in a sustained, greener manner while also taking advantage of advances in
How can the universal rights to water and sanitation be achieved in a region, which according to the latest World Meteorological Organization report, is heating up faster than anywhere else in the world? How can increasing the resilience of water and sanitation infrastructures be reflected in pan-
The United Nations has warned the world will fall short on the 1.5-degree C average increase in temperatures target without rapid and large-scale action to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from the energy intensive industries, which account for about 25% of total CO2 emissions globally and 66% of
The 18 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, which are home to some 450 million inhabitants, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Under a “business as usual” scenario, they risk facing a 5°C increase in the mean annual temperature by the end of the century, which would
Heatwaves and droughts are drying rivers and freshwater sources, spreading desertification and accelerating soil erosion. Food production is under severe threat everywhere, raising the spectre of famine and mass starvation. As nature gasps for survival, people scramble to get hold of diminishing
The world is in the midst of a deep energy crisis and in need of urgent energy transition. However, this transition cannot happen without massive quantities of critical raw materials (CRMs) needed to deploy the low-carbon technologies required for climate change mitigation and adaptation, said
Speaking at two events on water security at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh today, UNECE Executive Secretary Olga Algayerova stressed the importance of cooperation between countries for successful climate change policies and actions, especially when it comes to addressing water security. Impacts of
For many people in economically well-developed countries of the UNECE region a wood stove or fireplace used to be a cosy way to heat a room in the cold season. This winter, however, the role of wood energy may dramatically change for many people out of sheer necessity.
A large part of the UNECE
The Dominican Republic has taken important steps to ensure the sustainability of its natural resources through better conservation, management and sustainable use of its transboundary waters. The Dominican Government undertook a process to accede to the United Nations Water Convention.
The
As cities grow, urban planners and city administrators face daily challenges in maintaining healthy, sustainable, liveable, and resilient urban environments capable of contributing to a good quality of life for city dwellers.
The 80th Session of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forestry
Cameroon became the 47th Party to the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) following the approval of accession at the highest level by the Cameroon President on 7 July 2022 and the deposit on 1 November 2022 by
The Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China has a long-standing cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to promote the harmonization, development and connectivity of global solid mineral and petroleum classification standards.
The United Nations
Guidance for the Application of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) for Mineral and Anthropogenic Resources in Europe (UNFC Guidance Europe) was approved by international experts meeting in Geneva and online for the 13th session of the Expert Group on Resource Management. The
Without scaled-up efforts to finance and sustainably manage the Critical Raw Materials needed for a rapid renewables and clean energy shift, countries of the pan-European region and North America will face huge challenges to deliver on the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, the
The 9th Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference closed today in Nicosia, Cyprus, with the adoption of a ministerial declaration affirming countries’ commitment to transition to a green economy with sustainable infrastructure at its core.
The declaration also calls on countries to join and
New assessment reveals progress on air quality and protected areas, but calls for urgent action to tackle emissions, waste, pollution and biodiversity loss
A circular economy and sustainable infrastructure offer solutions
Despite progress in certain areas, governments in the pan-European
75 years ago, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) started working on forests. Today, we recognize their enormous potential not only for humans, fauna, flora, and the environment, but also for cities. In an urbanizing world, the contribution of forests to cleaning our air and
Countries have taken a step to translate rising commitment for sustainable urban development into concrete changes to the fabric of our cities with the adoption of a UN-backed Declaration.
Today, governments attending the 83rd session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and
Bold and sustained action must start now and maximize the use of all low- and zero-carbon technologies if we are to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, warns the Roadmap to carbon neutrality for Europe, North America, and Central Asia released today by UNECE in the lead up to critical climate talks
Renewables and energy efficiency offer an opportunity for a secure and sovereign energy supply in the region, find REN21 and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in their latest regional status report.
The region has seen an unprecedented growth in renewable
Due to the increasing popularity of the UNECE Environmental Performance Review (EPR) Programme, the Government of Mauritania has asked the UNECE secretariat to review the country’s environmental performance. On 10–11 August 2022, the EPR Programme Manager met in Nouakchott with Ministry of
Nigeria has taken a significant step towards ensuring the sustainable management of its cross-border waters with a milestone commitment to join and implement a United Nations treaty known as the Water Convention.
This commitment, guided by a road map, will be the key outcome of the National
More than 3 billion people depend on water that crosses national borders. As climate impacts – from drought to flooding – are felt more and more acutely worldwide, and with rising demands, pollution and tensions threatening increasingly scarce water resources, cooperation on shared waters offers a
Desertification, water scarcity, droughts, and the shrinkage of the Aral Sea are some of the challenges that Uzbekistan faces due to climate change. Given their vital role in regulating ecosystems, protecting biodiversity and landscapes, and supporting livelihoods, trees and forests are at the
From insufficient drinking water supply to contamination by sewage overflow and disease outbreaks from improper wastewater treatment, existing risks from climate change to water, sanitation and hygiene in the pan-European region are set to increase significantly, UNECE and the WHO Regional Office