Informal virtual consultation with members of the UN/CEFACT Plenary

Following consultations with the Chair of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), this virtual consultation is aimed at moving forward business-critical decisions in order to ensure that the work of UN/CEFACT can continue in the coming months. This virtual consultation does not replace the twenty-sixth session of UN/CEFACT. Any agreements resulting from this consultation and any subsequent silence procedure decisions will be recorded on the next available, official Plenary meeting.

This is a closed consultation only with UN/CEFACT Heads of Delegations and UN member State Missions based in Geneva. The connection details will be sent directly to the registered Head of Delegation; if you do not receive these details by Wednesday 29 April, please contact the secretariat: [email protected]

Elections of the UN/CEFACT Vice Chairs (for the period 2020-2023)

Candidates
The UNECE secretariat has received the following official candidates for Bureau Vice Chairs:

For information, the procedure which has been applied is as follows:

Announce the opening of candidatures
The mandates of the current six Vice Chairs of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) end at the 26^th Plenary on 4 May 2020 at which time the UN member States who are physically present at the Plenary meeting will elect at least four Vice Chairs.

Who to nominate
Each UN member State may nominate one candidate of its choice to run as Vice Chair. It is at the Country’s discretion if they nominate a person from the Government or from the Private Sector. The Candidate must be a member of the Country’s delegation and each Country may only nominate one Candidate using its own criteria for selection, taking into account: expertise, leadership, ability, willingness to work, geographical balance and gender balance.

Necessary forms
The following documents should be submitted for the candidate. This information must be sent directly from the Permanent Mission in Geneva to the UNECE Secretariat.

Requirements of a UN/CEFACT Vice Chair
The Candidate will be expected to actively participate in at least four physical meetings per year:

Candidates will also be expected to participate in all official UN/CEFACT Bureau conference calls (there are currently calls every two weeks for around two hours each).

Additionally, UN/CEFACT Vice Chairs are collectively responsible to ensure that procedures are being applied correctly, to supervise all UN/CEFACT projects and prepare strategic documentation such as the Programme of Work. It is appreciated if Vice Chairs assist the UNECE Secretariat in representing UN/CEFACT at official meetings and events as well as assist with communication.

For more details, please consult the Consolidated UN/CEFACT Mandate and Terms of Reference (ECE/TRADE/C/CEFACT/2017/15)

Calendar of deadlines

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the UN/CEFACT Secretary: [email protected]

For information, the following documents have been prepared and circulated in advance of the 26^th Plenary, originally scheduled for 4-5 May 2020 and which has been postponed.