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Secretary-General visits UNECE and FAO stand at ECOSOC Innovation Fair in Geneva

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened the Innovation Fair held from 1-3 July 2013 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva during the ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review. On this occasion, he visited the UNECE and FAO stand.


Activities on display at the stand included the UNECE Innovation Performance Review series, which provides policy advice to countries on how to boost innovation, and a special display of innovative products by the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section.


Products showcased included private sector innovations that promote sustainable use of forest-based materials -wood-plastic composites produced from process waste and wood-based clothing textiles for example - sourced from sustainably-managed forests. The stand also raised awareness on the potential uses of innovative forest products in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, biofuels, construction, as well as consumer products.


A key area in UNECE’s activities promoting knowledge-based development has been the Innovation Performance Review series, a participatory policy advisory service undertaken at the request of UNECE member States. Reviews consider possible policy actions to stimulate innovation activity and to improve the efficiency of national innovation systems. Reviews have thus far been carried out in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, with progress already noted in implementing recommendations. The latest review is being conducted for Armenia.


For more information on the Innovation Fair, please visit:


http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/innovfair2013/about.shtml

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United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

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Email: [email protected]

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