In providing technical cooperation services, UNECE works to enhance cooperation with other international organisations and institutions both within and outside the UN system, as well as various sub-regional organisations and initiatives, the business and academic communities and non-governmental organisations. UNECE's cooperation with other partners ranges from joint projects to information and expertise exchange.

UNECE carries out this cooperation taking into account the following main principles: (i) to build on the results of the work carried out by other relevant actors operating in the UNECE region; (ii) to minimize  ineffective allocation of resources; (iii) to promote, whenever appropriate, a more rational division of responsibilities; and (iv) to promote the involvement of those actors who would like to bring their expertise or complementary approach in support of UNECE’s activities in the area of technical assistance.

UNECE has established partnership relationships with a number of organizations and institutions involved in technical cooperation activities in the UNECE region, such as UNDP, UNEP, European Commission, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, as well as with the business and academic communities and non-governmental organisations. 

With a view to increasing the effectiveness of its technical cooperation services, UNECE has developed an active partnership with sub-regional organisations and initiatives, such as the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, SECI/Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Eurasian Economic Community, and Commonwealth of Independent States. Technical assistance provided by UNECE to sub-regional organisations and initiatives focuses on the areas of transport, trade facilitation, statistics, environment and sustainable energy. 

Partnership with other UN regional commissions is particularly active in the framework of the implementation of technical cooperation projects financed from the UN Development Account. The UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia is another example of joint efforts, undertaken by  UNECE in cooperation with the UN Economic Commission for Asia and Pacific. 

In developing its cooperation with other partners, UNECE gives particular attention to strengthening relationships with the private sector for broadening funding opportunities and promoting the involvement of external expertise. Since the early 1990s, UNECE has enjoyed support of the private sector for its technical cooperation activities. Apart from the Gas Centre, which is fully financed by gas companies, UNECE has been working with ICT corporations on developing international norms and standards for e-business and e-commerce. A group of other companies, including Microsoft, have been actively providing technical assistance to countries in transition in developing their national intellectual property rights enforcement mechanisms. 

More detailed information on partnership with other entities in providing technical cooperation services could be found in the annual overview reports on UNECE technical cooperation activities.