UNECE (Economic Commission for Europe): composition, functions, rules

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

UNECE is one of five regional commissions within the United Nations. It was established in 1947 with the aim of promoting economic integration among member states. To date, the European Commission includes 56 countries. It reports to the Economic and Social Council and is headquartered in Geneva. The UNECE budget is about US$ 50 million per year. The structure of the EEC includes 7 committees and the Conference on Environmental Policy. All of them cooperate with many international organizations, which allows them to more fully cover the scope of their activities.

Member States and cooperation

UNECE is made up of 56 countries. Not all of them are located in Europe. The UNECE includes Canada, the Asian republics (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), Israel and the USA. Montenegro was the last member to join the organization on June 28, 2006.

Out of 56 states, 18 have joined the ODA(Official Development Assistance to Poor Countries). The EEC is a partner of the OSCE, the European Union accepts many of the norms that have been developed within the framework of the organization we are considering as directives. Cooperation with the OECD, UNDP, enterprises, local communities, professional associations and various non-governmental organizations is also fruitful.

Committee for Economic Cooperation and Integration

UNECE Regulations are being institutionalized within several bodies. The Committee for Economic Cooperation and Integration promotes the implementation of financial and regulatory policies aimed at growth, innovative development and greater competition in the member states. The committee focuses on transitional economies. His main areas of work are:

• innovation;
• competitiveness policy;
• intellectual property;
• financing of innovative development;
• intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship development;
• private companies with state participation.

Committee on Environmental Policy

From the very foundation of the organization, the requirements of the UNECE concerned the problems of environmental protection. In 1971, a group of senior advisers to member governments was established. Over time, it was transformed into the Committee on Environmental Policy. Today it holds its meetings annually. The Committee ensures the coordination of policies in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development,prepares ministerial meetings, participates in the development of international environmental law and supports national initiatives in its area of competence. Its mission is to implement environmental protection measures in the Member States. The Committee seeks a comprehensive assessment of the efforts of countries to reduce the overall level of pollution and the regional use of available resources and to promote dialogue and joint decision-making in the international community in this area.

The division is the main body of the EEC in the field of statistics. Its work is based on the following strategic directions:

• functioning as secretariat for Environment for Europe;
• participation in the regional promotion of "Agenda 21";
• development and implementation of environmental performance reviews in non-OECD UNECE countries
• monitoring and reporting on environmental protection activities;
• improving the overall effectiveness of multilateral environmental agreements and promoting the exchange of experience on their implementation;
• participation in a number of intersectoral events held under the auspices of the UN.

Housing and Land Management Committee

This body is intergovernmental for all members of the EEC. It evolved from the Housing Commission, which was established back in 1947. The Committee provides for the collection,analysis and dissemination of information. It is also a forum for the exchange of information and experiences on housing, urban development and land administration policy.

Inland Transport Committee

This office develops UNECE transport regulations. Its subdivision is the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Requirements (WP.29).

Conference of European Statisticians

This unit performs the functions of the secretariat, it implements a program for the collection and analysis of information within the framework of the EEC. The conference brings together professionals from national and international statistical agencies. The word "European" is no longer a true representation of the scope of the experts. This unit helps member countries to implement the UNECE standard in their statistical systems and coordinates the collection of information. The conference develops special educational materials that describe the research methodology. Its main task is classification. UNECE works with various statistical organizations and holds meetings and online forums with experts on various topics within its remit to improve data coverage.

The Conference of European Statisticians provides technical assistance to the countries of South East Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. She also provides:

1. Free online access to statistics. Information abouteconomics, demography, forestry and transport 56 members provided in English and Russian.
2. Overview of key statistics. It is issued once every two years and covers all 56 states.
3. A set of wiki pages. This online archive provides support for collaboration and helps disseminate information on best practices.

Executive Secretaries

From the beginning of the existence of the organization, this post was held by the following persons:

1. 1947-1957 – Gunnar Myrdal (Sweden).
2. 1957-1960 – Sakari Tiomioya (Finland).
3. 1960-1967 - Vladimir Velebit (Yugoslavia).
4. 1968-1982 - Janez Stanovnik (Yugoslavia).
5. 1983-1986 – Klaus Sahlgren (Finland).
6. 1987-1993 – Gerald Hinteregger (Austria).
7. 1993-2000 – Yves Berthelot (France).
8. 2000-2001 – Danuta Huebner (Poland).
9. 2002-2005 – Brigita Shmegnerova (Slovakia).
10. 2005-2008 – Marik Belka (Poland).
11. 2008-2012 – Jan Kubis (Slovakia).
12. 2012-2014 – Sven Alkalaj (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
13. 2014 – present – Christian Friis Bach (Denmark).

Generalizations and success

Thus, the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE for short) is an important entity within the United Nations. Its main goal is to promote the integration and cooperation of countries in the field of economy, statistics, transport, housing, land use and ecology. It includes 56 countries, some of themare members of the OECD. The Commission provides assistance to developing countries. Some of the rules and requirements developed within the framework of the ECE are directives for EU countries. To date, the activities of the Commission have gone far beyond Europe, since states in North America and Asia are already active members. Any country that is a member of the United Nations can join it. Therefore, it is quite possible that in the near future countries from the most remote corners of our planet will appear in its composition.