United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

The UNECE will hold a “Trade Week” from 12 to 16 May. The major event is a two-day International Forum on Trade Facilitation, which will look at some of the new issues affecting trade, including the enlargement of the European Union, and international security concerns in particular.

International Forum on Trade Facilitation “Sharing the Gains of Globalization in the New Security Environment”

The Forum, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, provides an opportunity for representatives of international organizations, Governments, businesses, trade associations and the academic community to meet and exchange ideas on facilitating trade both regionally and globally.

Today, trade is heavily influenced by the economic and security environment, the Doha development agenda and, within the UNECE region, by the enlargement of the European Union. Harmonized trade facilitaion procedures will help trading partners work together more easily, increase the flow of trade in a secure environment and help countries better participate in regional and global marketplaces.

On Thursday afternoon there will also be a workshop on the Technical Issues of Trade Facilitation.

Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/forums/forum03/index.htm

Overview of other events

Monday and Tuesday, 12 – 13 May

The Plenary session of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT). UN/CEFACT will discuss trade facilitation policy and recommendations, the development of an intellectual property rights policy and e-business standards for UN/EDIFACT (UN Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) and ebXML (electronic business eXpandable Markup Language).
Web site: http://www.unece.org/cefact

Tuesday and Friday, 13 and 16 May

Some selected highlights from the annual session of the UNECE’s Committee for Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development are given below:

• On Tuesday, 13 May, the Committee will examine in detail its work during the past year and discuss how it can best address the challenges in the region and particularly those related to the further integration into the regional and global economy of those European countries that are not-acceding to the European Union in the near future.

• On the morning of Friday, 16 May, a Policy Segment on National Policies for Trade Facilitation Implementation in UNECE Member States. Presentations will be made on current approaches to implementing trade facilitation and will cover examples of successes and obstacles experienced, approaches to overcoming these obstacles, and considerations for future plans and priorities in this area. Presenters will include the World Bank Regional Trade Facilitation Coordinator for Southeast Europe, the UNECE Regional Advisor for Trade Facilitation and National Representatives.

• Followed, on Friday afternoon, by a discussion of the Chairman’s conclusions from the International Forum on Trade Facilitation and possible follow-up activities to be undertaken at the regional level.

The agenda and documentation for the Committee session can be found at: http://www.unece.org/trade/

Further information on Trade Week may be obtained from:

Virginia Cram-Martos
Secretary to the Committee for Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development

Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 27 45
E-mail: trade@unece.org

OVERVIEW OF TRADE WEEK EVENTS

For further information on Trade Week, please see our Internet site at: http://www.unece.org/trade/ or contact the UNECE secretariat at: trade@unece.org or +41 (0) 22 917 1134.

 

Ref.: ECE/TRADE/03/N04