UNECE-UN/CEFACT

As 2025 comes to a close, we would like to extend our warmest season’s greetings to the UN/CEFACT expert community and all partners working to advance sustainable and digital trade facilitation. 🎄🌍 This year has been truly transformative—marked by strong collaboration, concrete deliverables, and growing global engagement. From the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum in Dakar (Saly), which brought together over 460 experts from 59 countries, to the 5th Session of the Team of Specialists on ESG Traceability, we have collectively advanced practical solutions for interoperability, transparency, and sustainability across global value chains. Key milestones in 2025 included: 🔹 Progress on digital trade and transport standards (eBL, eCMR, eFTI, trust registries) 🔹 Scaling traceable and sustainable value chains through the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP) 🔹 Launch of new and revised UN/CEFACT standards and open-source deliverables 🔹 Global collaboration on digital and sustainable trade facilitation, including contributions to UN surveys, WTO work on transit corridors, and engagement at COP30 and UNEA-7 As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue this momentum—strengthening interoperability, supporting countries in implementation, and working together to make trade more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. Thank you to all experts, partners, and member States for your dedication and commitment. We look forward to your continued engagement in the year ahead. ✨ #UNCEFACT #UNECE #DigitalTrade #SustainableTrade #TradeFacilitation #Interoperability #Traceability #ESG #SeasonGreetings #LookingAhead2026

As global supply chains expand and diversify, a persistent challenge rises to the forefront: assessing reliable sustainability data when and where it is needed. Fragmented systems and incompatible formats drive up costs and slow down progress towards sustainable global value chains. Today’s 5th Session of the UNECE Team of Specialists on ESG Traceability of Sustainable Value Chains in the Circular Economy brought together key stakeholders capable of driving that change. Across textiles, critical raw materials and agri-food, experts showcased how interoperability — common standards, a shared vocabulary, and verifiable data — can turn policy ambitions into actionable results. Developed by UN/CEFACT, the UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP) is emerging as a global, public-good solution to make this possible, ensuring sustainability and traceability data can be exchanged seamlessly across borders, industries and platforms. When data is aligned, everyone benefits: ✔️ lower compliance burdens ✔️ stronger accountability ✔️ fairer competition ✔️ better sustainability outcomes This community is shaping the practical foundations for transparent, trusted and future-ready global value chains. Our sincere thanks to the Team of Specialists’ Chair Christian Hudson, the UNECE value chain transparency and traceability team and all speakers and contributors for their leadership and vision, and to the governments, businesses, standards bodies, technology providers and civil society working with us to make transparency at scale a reality. Steven Capell, Tamsin Lejeune, Frank Drijfhout, Mathieu Lamolle, Elisabeth Türk, Maria Teresa Pisani, Dr Matthias Altmann, Camille Malafosse, Immanuela Badde, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Find out more about the: ▶️ UNTP: https://untp.unece.org/. ▶️ UNECE Recommendation No. 49 on Transparency at Scale – Fostering Sustainable Value Chains: https://lnkd.in/emUTX7fW. ▶️ UNECE Team of Specialists on ESG Traceability of Sustainable Value Chains in the Circular Economy: https://lnkd.in/ePgeSztM. ▶️Agenda of the 5th Session of the UNECE Team of Specialists: https://lnkd.in/eSiHc_Yw.

🚀 UN/CEFACT Highlights New IISD Report on Digital Trade Standards UN/CEFACT is pleased to highlight the publication of the IISD report "Setting International Technical Standards to Shape Digital Trade Policy", co-authored by UN/CEFACT Vice Chair Dr. Hanane Becha and Craig Atkinson. 🌍 Strengthening the Global Digital Standards Landscape The report offers a timely overview of how international technical standards shape the foundations of digital trade—supporting interoperability, trust, and scalable digital ecosystems. It also sheds light on the standardization gap affecting developing countries and presents practical recommendations to strengthen global participation in standards-setting processes. 🔎 UN/CEFACT’s Contribution For decades, UN/CEFACT has played a central role in developing open, globally harmonized standards that enable efficient and secure cross-border trade. This publication reinforces the value of UN/CEFACT’s work, including: 🔹 Semantic and technical interoperability 🔹 End-to-end supply chain data harmonization 🔹 Inclusive approaches to global digital transformation 🎉 Congratulations Hanane and Craig! This report reflects UN/CEFACT's commitment and ongoing efforts to building a more interoperable, inclusive, and future-ready digital trade environment. 📄 Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gV6aVFDj #UNCEFACT #DigitalTrade #Standards #Interoperability #TechPolicy #TradeFacilitation #DigitalEconomy #GlobalGovernance 

🌍 UNECE & UN/CEFACT at the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee – Advancing Trade in LLDCs This week in Geneva (1–3 December), UNECE and UN/CEFACT contributed to the WTO’s discussions on the Draft Report on Advancing Trade in Landlocked Developing Countries and Mapping of Transit Corridors. Speaking on behalf of UNECE, we highlighted insights from the newly launched UN Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation Report, presented at last week’s UN/CEFACT Forum in Senegal. 🔎 Key takeaways from the LLDC analysis: 🔹 Over 80% of LLDCs have partially or fully implemented risk-based inspections and pre-arrival processing. 🔹 But less than half have fully operational transit agreements or formal cross-border cooperation mechanisms. 🔹 Implementation at the corridor level remains the weakest link, with only a few LLDCs applying core procedures consistently across transit routes. 🌐 Good practices from the UNECE region show strong momentum: Countries across Central Asia and beyond are expanding electronic data exchange, coordinating risk profiling, and connecting to the eTIR international system—with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan already operational. Kazakhstan also reports major gains through the Eurasian Economic Union Unified Transit Guarantee. 🧩 UNECE and UN/CEFACT tools supporting TFA implementation: 🔸 The TIR Convention & eTIR digital procedures 🔸 UN/CEFACT information exchange standards, incl. the Multimodal Reference Data Model 🔸 Guidance on corridor governance, Single Windows, and emerging technologies 🔸 The upcoming UN/CEFACT Recommendation No. 50 on Digital Connectivity for Transit Corridors (2026), accompanied by pilot work on corridors such as the Trans-Caspian Corridor, where transit times have already dropped from 45 to 20 days. 🚀 Looking ahead, accelerating progress for LLDCs requires: ✔ Fully operationalizing transit treaties ✔ Embedding risk-based and pre-arrival procedures into corridor management ✔ Scaling up digital interoperability through UN/CEFACT standards ✔ Investing in resilient infrastructure UNECE stands ready to support all countries with norms, standards, regional cooperation platforms, and technical assistance—together with partners across the UN system and regional organizations. Yann Duval Raúl Torres Poul Hansen Nurbek Maksutov Dr. Hanane Becha Maria Teresa Pisani Kamola Khusnutdinova Jie Wei Daniela Stratulativ #digitalconnectivity #lldc #trade #transport #corridors #dataexchange #multimodaltransport #tradefacilitation #ebusiness

Driving digital and sustainable trade facilitation: highlights from last week’s policy dialogue at the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum   📢 Last week, the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum hosted a Policy Dialogue on Accelerating Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation Along Transit Corridors. The session brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, regional organizations, and UN agencies to advance a shared vision of smarter and more connected trade.   🌐 Key insights included: 🔸 Digitalization as a driver of lower trade barriers, transparency, and efficiency. 🔸 The alignment of sustainable trade facilitation with climate and development goals. 🔸 The need for stronger cross-border cooperation to ensure trust and interoperability across supply chains.   📘 Launch of the 2025 UN Global Survey UN ESCAP presented the Global Report of the sixth UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, offering a comprehensive picture of global progress on trade facilitation performance.   🚚 Progress on UNECE policy recommendation No. 50 Enhancing Digital Connectivity along Transit Corridors: UNECE and UN/CEFACT are developing Policy Recommendation No. 50 on Enhancing Digital Connectivity along Transit Corridors, building on: 🔹 UN/CEFACT’s Package of Standards for Data Exchange, adopted in the EU under the eFTI Regulation; 🔹 Its integration into regional and global initiatives such as the Trans-Caspian Corridor digitalization roadmap and others.   This new Recommendation will provide practical guidance to address soft-infrastructure gaps and improve interoperability across borders.   📣 Call to action: help shape this global initiative   1️. Complete the survey ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ehW_W2Sk Your input will shape the scope and priorities of Recommendation No. 50. 2️. Submit a pledge ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e7ifDKjQ Showcase the concrete steps your institution is taking — or committing to take — to accelerate trade digitalization.   Warm thanks to all speakers: Maria Teresa Pisani, Kamola Khusnutdinova, Yann Duval, Ibrahima Nour Eddine DIAGNE, Nurbek Maksutov, Mario Apostolov and Shahribonu Gofurjonova, and to all participants for their contributions. Let’s continue building resilient and digitally connected trade and transport corridors.   #TradeFacilitation #Digitalization #Sustainability #UNECE #UNCEFACT #TransitCorridors #Digital4Trade

Exploring Blockchain for Trade Facilitation at the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum   🌐 Today’s project session "Building Capacity for Harnessing the Potential of Blockchain for Trade Facilitation" has dived into one of the most transformative technologies for global trade: Blockchain. It could offer concrete solutions for data integrity, interoperability, and trust across complex supply chains.   💡 Key topics include: ✅ Fundamental elements of blockchain technology and other advanced technologies (e.g. AI), and the application in trade facilitation ✅ Blockchain technology in support of strengthening trade competitiveness in developing countries ✅ Significant capacity gaps—technical, institutional, or regulatory—for mitigation to enable blockchain adoption ✅ Lessons learned from pilot projects and case studies in the application of blockchain for trade ✅ Importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing   💻 Blockchain’s potential to streamline customs procedures, enhance transparency, and reduce fraud is immense. But success depends on standards, collaboration, and robust governance models—areas that UNECE and its UN/CEFACT are actively working on along with other UN Regional Commissions and UNCTAD.   Excited to learn from experts and country representatives from #Senegal, #Kenya, #Morocco, #Mali, #Kyrgyzstan and #Uzbekistan about how these innovations helped to accelerate digital trade transformation.    🔗 Link to the session: https://lnkd.in/egfvrFXt   🔗 Link to the online course on "the Use of Blockchain in Trade Facilitation": https://lnkd.in/d5XwcrRe   🎉 Many thanks to all the speakers for your insightful contribution: Maria Teresa Pisani, Johan (Nanno) Mulder, Arántzazu Sánchez Belastegui, Yann Duval, Batanai Chikwene, PMP, Billy Ngumi, Anas BADAA, Amadou Ba, Mamadou Seybane KEBE, Nurbek Maksutov and Muzaffar Shermatov! #Blockchain #TradeFacilitation #DigitalTransformation #pilotprojects Kamola Khusnutdinova Kevin B. Jie Wei Felix Guimard Aruna Vivekanantham

🌍 Join Day 3 of the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum Remotely! 📅 Wednesday, 26 November 2025 📍 Dakar (Saly), Senegal – Hybrid Access Available Day 3 of the UN/CEFACT Forum brings a strong line-up of technical and sector-focused sessions across two parallel tracks, covering digital transport systems, verifiable trade documents, critical raw materials, sustainability, blockchain for trade facilitation, and key UN/CEFACT standards. You can join all Day 3 sessions online through the dedicated Zoom links below. 🔽 🔷 Parallel 1 Sessions – Day 3 • Standardization Dialogue: Aligning Digital Transport Contracts – Advancing Multimodal Interoperability • Standardization Dialogue: Digitizing the Bill of Lading – From Pilot to Scale • Joint Project Session: Building Capacity for Harnessing Blockchain for Trade Facilitation • Standardization Dialogue: The UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP) 🔗 Register for Parallel 1: https://lnkd.in/ebdQyFuk 🔶 Parallel 2 Sessions – Day 3 • Standardization Dialogue: Verifiable Trade Documents – Business Use Cases • Project Session: Critical Raw Materials – Digital Traceability & Sustainability • Project Session (Sustainable Trade): Global Traceability, Local Impact – Trace the Trade • Standardization Dialogue: UN/EDIFACT D.25A – DMR Review Session 🔗 Register for Parallel 2: https://lnkd.in/erGgP3aJ 📄 Full programme & all remote participation links can be found here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/edZcsY52 Nancy Norris Dr. Hanane Becha Nurbek Maksutov Liliana Fratini Passi Steven Capell Aliakbar Heydarov Sue Probert Gait Boxman Gerhard Heemskerk Elisabeth Türk Maria Teresa Pisani Kamola Khusnutdinova Jie Wei Felix Guimard Camille Malafosse Immanuela Badde Dr. Hanane Becha Dr Matthias Altmann Kevin B.

🌍 Join Day 2 of the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum Remotely! 📅 Tuesday, 25 November 2025 📍 Dakar (Saly), Senegal – with full online access Day 2 features a rich set of technical sessions and dialogues across two parallel tracks. These sessions bring together experts from around the world to advance interoperability, sustainability, Single Window modernization, digital trade documents, and more. 💻 All Day 2 remote participation links are now available. You can register directly for the sessions you want to follow:   🔷 Parallel 1 Sessions (Day 2) •⁠ ⁠Standardization Dialogue: Aligning WCO & UN/CEFACT Data Models •⁠ ⁠Standardization Dialogue: Verifiable Trade Documents – An Introduction •⁠ ⁠Project Session: Single Window Domain – Updates and Project Proposals •⁠ ⁠Standardization Dialogue: First Preview of the Check Invoice BRS •⁠ ⁠Transport & Logistics Session: What’s New & What’s We Are Developing Next 🔗 Register for Parallel 1: https://lnkd.in/eieAeqdP   🔶 Parallel 2 Sessions (Day 2) •⁠ ⁠Standardization Dialogue: UN/CEFACT Flagship Standards – Exploring Sustainable Solutions •⁠ ⁠Regulatory Session: Single Window Domain – Updates & Project Proposals •⁠ ⁠Mining & Minerals Session: Traceability of Critical Raw Materials & Circularity in Trade 🔗 Register for Parallel 2: https://lnkd.in/ewgCzQtG   📄 Full programme & remote links for all days available here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/edZcsY52 Looking forward to connecting with participants worldwide as we build stronger, more interoperable and sustainable trade ecosystems together. 🌐✨ Nancy Norris Dr. Hanane Becha Nurbek Maksutov Liliana Fratini Passi Steven Capell Aliakbar Heydarov Sue Probert Gait Boxman Gerhard Heemskerk Elisabeth Türk Maria Teresa Pisani Kamola Khusnutdinova Jie Wei Felix Guimard Camille Malafosse Immanuela Badde Dr. Hanane Becha Dr Matthias Altmann Kevin B.

🌍 Join the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum Remotely! 📅 24–28 November 2025 📍 Dakar (Saly), Senegal — with full online access I’m pleased to share that remote participation links are now available for the upcoming 44th UN/CEFACT Forum. 🔗 All remote participation links are now published here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/edZcsY52 Nancy Norris Dr. Hanane Becha Nurbek Maksutov Liliana Fratini Passi Steven Capell Aliakbar Heydarov Sue Probert Gait Boxman Gerhard Heemskerk Elisabeth Türk Maria Teresa Pisani Kamola Khusnutdinova Jie Wei Felix Guimard Camille Malafosse Immanuela Badde Dr Matthias Altmann

🌍 Join the 44th UN/CEFACT Forum Remotely! 📅 24–28 November 2025 📍 Dakar (Saly), Senegal — with full online access I’m pleased to share that remote participation links are now available for the upcoming 44th UN/CEFACT Forum. 🔗 All remote participation links are now published here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/edZcsY52 Nancy Norris Dr. Hanane Becha Nurbek Maksutov Liliana Fratini Passi Steven Capell Aliakbar Heydarov Sue Probert Gait Boxman Gerhard Heemskerk Elisabeth Türk Maria Teresa Pisani Kamola Khusnutdinova Jie Wei Felix Guimard Camille Malafosse Immanuela Badde Dr Matthias Altmann