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Trade

Introduction

The Trade programme, implemented by Economic Cooperation and Trade Division, works to develop closer economic relations among member States, as well as to better integrate their economies into the world economy. The trade programme's inter-governmental bodies make policy recommendations, develop standards for use in trade and assist member States in implementing them. These bodies also suggest ways and means of creating legal and administrative frameworks for fostering trade. Work includes a range of activities to assist member States with: trade facilitation; regulatory and standards policy; commercial agricultural standards; and e-business standards.

ECTD Newsletters

Key areas of work

Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards

Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT)

Agricultural Quality Standards (WP.7)

Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6)

Outreach and Support

SPECA

Studies on non-tariff barriers to Trade

In focus

The Sustainable and Digital Trade Facilitation Week, will be held in-person at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland from 8 to 12 July 2024. It will feature the 42^nd UNEFACT Forum on 8-10 July 2024 and the 30^th UN/CEFACT Plenary on 11-12 July 2024.

Furthermore, the secretariat will organize a policy discussion contributing to the strategic priorities of UNECE focusing on the green and digital transformations and climate action.

International organizations, development partners, trade facilitation experts and business community are cordially invited to participate in the various events of the week. More details will be available closer to the date.

For more information, please contact UN/CEFACT Secretary at [email protected]

WP.6 will hold its third Forum of subgroups from 2 to 5 April 2024. Each group (GRM, ToS-GRS, MARS, START) will meet and there will be multiple conferences on digital, green transformation from each perspective of WP.6. More information, agendas and registration available on the WP.6 Third Forum webpage.

News

UNECE helps Uzbekistan and SPECA participating States to advance trade facilitation and sustainability through UN/CEFACT digitalization tools

12 April 2024

UNECE and UNECLAC call for sustainability on second-hand clothing trade flows

11 March 2024

UNECE workshop focuses on prospects for building resilient, diversified and sustainable value chains in Central Asia

06 March 2024

Highlights

WP.6 launched the publication Basics of Quality Infrastructure for Trade during the 33rd Annual Session. This publication, authored by experts in the field, provides the general explanation of the various elements of quality infrastructure for trade and its relation to cross-cutting themes.
UN/CEFACT has recently published several White Papers, Guidelines and Executive Guides which are available on the website.
UN/CEFACT has over a dozen active projects ranging from Single Window recommendations to eQuality Certificates and Sustainable tourism to Blockchain. If you are interested in joining our work, please contact us at [email protected]
WP.6 announced the publication of the “Guidelines on Developing Gender-Responsive Standards” (ECE/TRADE/472) which is available on the publications web page.
WP.6 has published a brochure on Why Gender-Responsive Standards are Better for Everyone that offers an explanation and rationale of gender-responsive standards for the new comer. It provides a general overview of the intrinsic nature of standards and how these might affect women and men differently.