2 April 2009: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) held its 63rd session from 30 March-1 April 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, during which participants discussed the effects of the economic crisis and the role the UNECE can play in increasing trade facilitation, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Mitigation was a recurrent theme during the debates given the cross-sectoral dimension of the phenomenon and the importance of investments in green technologies in the approximately US$2.8 trillion stimulus packages approved in various countries during the past few months. Participants underscored that the linkages between the environmental and economic crises provide an opportunity for adopting a new paradigm of sustainable growth, and noted the need to promote energy security as well as policies aimed at reducing energy dependence. The Commission further endorsed the “Environment for Europe” reform plan as developed by the Committee on Environmental Policy on 29 January 2009. [Meeting website] [UNECE press release]