Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) reviews the environmental performance of Mongolia for the second time

The second review of Mongolia will measure progress made and considers challenges encountered in the areas of air quality, water management, biodiversity and protected areas, soil protection, waste and chemicals management and greening the economy

After Morocco (2022) and Mauritania (2023), the UNECE Environmental Performance Reviews (EPR) continue to reach beyond the region of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Mongolia has requested UNECE to undertake its second review, following the first in 2017. Today, a multidisciplinary team of 17 international experts, met…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

South Sudan eyes Water Convention accession for stronger water governance and development opportunities

South Sudan indicated it is seeking to unlock major infrastructure projects and development resources as well as to limit flooding

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation and a landlocked country in Eastern Central Africa, is situated in the middle of the basin of the Nile River, Africa’s longest river. Sharing significant transboundary wetlands, experiencing annual catastrophic floods and droughts and facing immense development and humanitarian challenges, South Sudan views strengthened…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

Zimbabwe joins United Nations (UN) Water Convention, leading wave of countries in Southern Africa

Zimbabwe’s accession further reinforces the strong momentum for water cooperation in Africa, where over 90% of water resources are in 63 basins shared by two or more countries

Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in drought-stricken Southern Africa, has joined the UN Water Convention in a clear demonstration of political will for water cooperation across borders. Home to some 17 million people, Zimbabwe faces pressing water challenges linked to climate change and competing socio-economic, environmental and political demands and interdependencies…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

Cote d’Ivoire is 10th African nation to join United Nations (UN) Water Convention in milestone for water cooperation worldwide

This further consolidates the strong momentum for water cooperation in Africa, where over 90% of water resources are in 63 basins shared by two or more countries

Faced with increasing water stress and climate change impacts on the water resources it shares with its neighbours, Cote d’Ivoire has joined the United Nations Water Convention – a UN treaty to improve joint water management across borders.  It is the 53rd Party to the Convention and 10th African country to join…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

Zimbabwe fast-tracks progress on UN Water Convention accession, aiming to accrue multiple benefits

Zimbabwe confirmed during a national workshop its intention to accelerate the accession process to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention)

Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, lies entirely within a total of five transboundary river basins (Buzi, Limpopo, Pungwe, Save and Zambezi) and one international lake (Kariba) while the number of transboundary aquifers is yet to be ascertained. These transboundary basins create socio-economic, environmental and political interdependencies between countries,…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

United Nation Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety to launch global road safety campaign in South Africa

The launch events are to be held in Johannesburg and Pretoria with the participation of the Minister of Transport of South Africa and the Executive Mayors of Tshwane and Johannesburg

The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, will visit South Africa from 13 to 15 May 2024 to support national and local authorities’ road safety initiatives. In particular, the Special Envoy will launch the UN Global Campaign for Road Safety, in partnership with the No.1 outdoor…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

Global use of United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) grows to support more sustainable resource management

The adoption of UNFC and UNRMS continues to expand, as evidenced by new legislation such as its integration into the EU Critical Raw Materials Act

UNECE Resource Management Week 2024 spotlighted the growing roles of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) in promoting sustainable development through enhanced integration and effective management of natural resources.  Growing global application: The adoption of UNFC and UNRMS continues to expand, as evidenced…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

Water Convention facilitates negotiations between Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia on the establishment of the Luapula River and Lake Mweru Authority

The two Parties exchanged views and agreed on the language, content, scope and objectives of the proposed draft agreement, as well as a road map to complete the negotiation

The Water Convention has facilitated the First round of Technical & Planning Negotiations of the Draft ‘Agreement on the Establishment of the Luapula River and Lake Mweru Authority between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia on 18 and 19 April, concerning the transboundary Lake Mweru and Luapula River, a tributary…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

As widespread droughts spark national emergencies in Southern Africa, Water Convention and partners convene in Zambia to strengthen transboundary water cooperation

The event was designed to support states, river basin and lake organizations

On 29 February 2024 Zambia declared a National Crisis and Emergency regarding a drought gripping the country and which has decimated food and energy supply. Other Southern African countries have declared similar National Emergencies due to severe drought, including Zimbabwe in April. Severe droughts have also developed or recently intensified…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) |

Chad validates its strategy and implementation plan for the Water Convention

The 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention in October 2024 will be an opportunity for Chad to present its priority needs on the basis of this plan and explore possible support from technical and financial partners

Much of Chad's water resources are shared, notably the Lake Chad basin and its many tributaries and distributaries (shared with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan and Algeria), the Niger River basin (shared with Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria) and the Nubian…