UNECE
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was set up in 1947 by ECOSOC. It is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. The others are the:
- Economic Commission for Africa (ECA),
- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP),
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC),
- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
UNECE's major aim is to promote pan-European economic integration. To do so, it brings together 56 countries located in the European Union, non-EU Western and Eastern Europe, South-East Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and North America. All these countries dialogue and cooperate under the aegis of UNECE on economic and sectorial issues. However, all interested United Nations member States may participate in the work of UNECE. Over 70 international professional organisations and other non-governmental organisations take part in UNECE activities.
UNECE's terms of reference have been defined by ECOSOC.
IGU and UNECE
IGU is represented in the UNECE’s Group of Experts through former SG Mr Torstein Indrebø.
UNECE has expressed an interest of signing a MOU with IGU.