Press Releases
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Governments, United Nations entities, international organizations, development banks, civil society, and private sector leaders gathered at United Nations Headquarters on 20 and 21 July for the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety (Meeting), reaffirming their commitment
At a time of significant global challenges, UNECE reaffirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a shared framework for cooperation and practical progress at this year’s High Level Political Forum (HLPF) at UN Headquarters in New York. Leading a UNECE
The UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) Partnership Pledging Conference, held today at UN Headquarters, brought together governments, UN agencies, the private sector and civil society to mobilize support for road safety through the second half of the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030). Convened
As populations age rapidly across the pan-European region and North America, governments face increasing pressure to design policies that support longer lives, healthy ageing and social inclusion. Yet major gaps in data on older persons continue to limit evidence-based policymaking and make it
Controlling industrial pollution is indispensable for protecting ecosystems and human health. However, turning environmental policies into concrete action in industry remains a major challenge. To support countries to gain practical insights into the implementation of Best
Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, visited Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan from 28 June to 3 July 2026 to strengthen national commitments on road safety and accelerate progress towards the goals of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.In both
Uzbekistan ranks among the world’s most water-stressed countries, with stark rural-urban disparities in safe drinking water access (75% rural vs. 89% urban) and only 32% of domestic wastewater safely treated. Acute water-management challenges in this double-landlocked country in Central Asia are
Across Europe, Central Asia and North America, inland transport systems — roads, railways, inland waterways, ports and airports — are expected to face significantly more adverse climate conditions by 2051-80. Key risks include flooding,
Air pollution remains one of the world's most critical environmental health risks, impacting human health, ecosystems, and economies. Because pollutants from transport, industry, energy production, and agriculture can travel thousands of kilometers across national borders, coordinated international
Joining leaders and partners at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean led a UNECE delegation to highlight continued support at national and local levels, and reaffirm commitment to a sustainable and resilient recovery. Despite extreme
Main takeaways World’s first driverless-vehicle regulation — UNECE’s WP.29 has approved the first global framework that legally enables fully autonomous driving systems (ADS). Harmonized global safety rules — The regulation mandates Safety Management Systems, credible testing
Public narratives that frame ageing as decline, burden or crisis risk distorting reality, reinforcing ageism and weakening support for effective policy responses, according to the latest UNECE Policy Brief on Ageing, Changing the Narrative on Ageing and Older Persons. How societies talk about
A product designed in one country, manufactured in another and sold around the world may pass through many hands before reaching the consumer. Most people rarely think about the systems that help ensure such products are safe. Yet product safety depends on coordinated efforts by regulators,
Italy has acceded to the UNECE–WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health, becoming the 31st Party to the treaty. This milestone comes at a critical moment, as the global water crisis intensifies, and the pan-European region grapples with uneven progress, aging infrastructure, and the growing impacts
On 10 June 2026, Croatia deposited its instrument of acceptance for the amendment on public participation in decisions on the deliberate release into the environment and placing on the market of genetically modified organisms (GMO Amendment) to the UNECE Convention on Access to Information,
Fifteen years after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Management of the Extended Transboundary Drin Basin, the 10th Drin Stakeholders Conference took place from 2-4 June 2026 in Struga, North Macedonia. Representatives from the five riparian countries Albania, Greece,
UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean has assumed the position of Chair of the Global Board of the International Gender Champions (IGC), a leadership network of international decision-makers committed to advancing gender equality across international organizations, governments, civil society
Industrial pollution control is essential for safeguarding human health, yet the transition from international environmental commitments to local industrial action remains a significant challenge. On 2 and 3 June 2026, UNECE convened 40 policymakers, regulators, and technical experts
Behind the rapid growth of the global fashion industry lies an increasingly heavy environmental footprint. Global fibre production has more than doubled since 2000 and continues to accelerate, reaching 132 million tonnes in 2024, equivalent to around four tonnes of fibre produced every
The Trans-Caspian and Almaty–Tehran–Istanbul corridors have emerged as key inland routes linking Central Asia with Europe, as well as connecting China to Europe. They are also key to enhancing Central Asia’s economic diversification and regional integration. According to the Organisation for
The Regional Environmental Performance Review (Regional EPR) of Central Asia to be conducted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) through 2026–2028 will focus on four priority thematic areas: Climate, air quality and public health Efficient use of water resources
A parent scrolling through an online marketplace late at night orders a toy for their child, trusting that it meets basic safety standards. Days later, reports emerge that similar products have been flagged for safety risks, from hazardous materials to faulty components. In today’s global and
At the 2026 Urban7 (U7) Mayors’ Summit in Nancy, France, Mayors have affirmed the essential role of cities in shaping and responding to key issues on the global agenda and in building resilience. The Nancy Declaration, to be transmitted to the French G7 Presidency ahead of the G7 Leaders’
Following its accession to the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health earlier this year, Kazakhstan is stepping up its efforts to identify disparities in access to water and sanitation services and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.A National Meeting on the Implementation of the
Uzbekistan has made substantial progress in strengthening environmental governance, advancing green development and addressing climate change. However, further efforts are needed to improve pollution control, accelerate the green transition, strengthen climate resilience and scale up nature-based