70th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

The 70th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will take place in Geneva on 18-19 April 2023. The Commission is UNECE's highest decision-making body, and in this session it will take stock of its work to promote a circular economy and the sustainable use of natural resources, among other issues.

A green transformation is urgently needed to address pressing challenges, including the sustainable energy transition and deployment of low-carbon solutions, in order to fight climate change and biodiversity loss and reduce environmental pressures. Digital technologies are opening up new possibilities for economic development, policy implementation and the management of public services. They also offer the potential for improved management of natural resources and facilitate the shift towards a circular economy by filling information gaps, increasing efficiency and making new forms of economic activity possible, including changes in production and consumption patterns.

The Commission's 70th session will bring together ministers and deputy ministers from the UNECE region and provide Member States with an opportunity to: 

  • exchange experiences of digital and green transformations for sustainable development in the ECE region
  • share success stories and identify knowledge gaps and areas for further action
  • consider issues of importance for economic integration and cooperation among countries in the region
  • review progress on the Commission’s activities.