Weekly 945

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945

3 to 6 January 2023

In Focus
UNECE supports access to information on plastic pollution

The UNECE Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) continues to support actions to promote transparency in environmental matters across the globe. At its recent meeting, the Working Group of the Parties to the Protocol on PRTRs for the first time touching upon the role of registers in supporting access to information on plastic pollution. Among other things, stakeholders highlighted that is necessary to support countries by developing guidelines on specific technical issues, such as the measurement of releases of microplastics.
 

Air Pollution
Reducing air pollution saves lives and money

Air pollution has an enormous burden on public health, ecosystems, climate, and ultimately, the economy. In her latest blog, UNECE Executive Secretary Olga Algayerova explains how reducing air pollution can save lives and money, and why we need to act fast. She elaborates on the achievements made thanks to the cooperation among parties to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention) and the results achieved in the past 40 years.

Trade
UN/CEFACT standards strengthen sustainable fisheries

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing represents up to 26 million tonnes of fish caught annually. FAO has recently launched a large initiative to ensure long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems, including the combat against illegal fishing. To support sustainable fisheries, UN/CEFACT has developed the United Nations Fisheries Language for Universal Exchange (UN/FLUX), which is the first United Nations standard to collect and disseminate fishery catch data.

Housing
Milan Triennale hosts dialogue on the San Marino Declaration

A recent event organized by Triennale Milano in cooperation with UNECE gathered urban planners and operators, architects and other relevant stakeholders to reflect upon the relevance of the San Marino Declaration. The declaration was adopted by UNECE member states to focus on climate neutrality and ensure that cities, urban infrastructure and buildings should be designed and requalified to minimize the associated climate footprint by adopting creative solutions that reduce pollution and energy use.

Forests
Building urban und peri-urban tree and forest resilience in Centra Asia

Central Asia has been facing major climate-change related challenges, affecting rural areas and cities. Accentuated by increased traffic volumes, economic growth and pressures from competing sectors, such as real estate, cities have not always been able to align green goals with reality. With the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uzbekistan, UNECE recently organized a dedicated training on future-proof green cities and on building urban and peri-urban tree and forest resilience for experts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Water
Panama steps closer to joining UN Water Convention

Panama has taken a new step in its process of joining the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention). A recent national workshop gathered more than 60 stakeholders to identify priorities for future implementation of the Water Convention, which marked 30 years of existence in 2022. Panama is a natural bridge and a vital biological corridor connecting the Americas. It is home to a variety of diverse ecosystems including tropical rainforests, mangrove wetlands and mountain ranges, as well as shared waters with neighboring Costa Rica and Colombia.

Upcoming Events

Working Party on Pollution and Energy, 10-13 January 2023 (Geneva, Switzerland)

Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles, 23-27 January 2023 (Geneva, Switzerland)

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