Expert Group Meeting on New and Inclusive Multilateralism in North-East Asia

4-5 December 2019, Incheon, Republic of Korea

The Office organized the event with experts in North-East Asia cooperation on trade, transport, energy, environment, etc. from policy institutes, academia as well as officials from Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI), Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), Mongolia and Russian government. The meeting reviewed the trend and status of existing functional cooperation and integration mechanisms /arrangements in the subregion. Participants also shared insights on possible approaches to further institutionalize these cooperation arrangements to support new and inclusive multilateralism in North-East Asia. The meeting is part of preparations for the ESCAP study on strengthening subregional and multilateral cooperation in North-East Asia, to be presented at a forum in connection with the 10th anniversary of the Office in May 2020.
 

First Expert Reviewers Meeting - Regional Power Grid Connectivity in North-East Asia: Policies and Strategies

10 December 2019, Incheon, Republic of Korea

Jointly with Energy Division, the Office organized the First Expert Reviewers Meeting for Regional Power Grid Connectivity in North-East Asia: Policies and Strategies to review a preliminary draft of the report aiming to help form a politically agreed common strategy towards the development of a sub-regional power interconnection. Experts from China, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation reviewed the draft and shared their comments and perspectives on challenges and opportunities for power interconnection in North-East Asia and recommendations for member States to move forward. Incorporating comments received during the meeting, the draft will be revised for further review by member States early 2020.

ESCAP-GTI International Seminar on Trade Facilitation in North-East Asia

12 December 2019, Changchun, China

The Office and the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) Secretariat organized the Seminar attended by customs and trade officials as well as other relevant stakeholders from GTI member countries (i.e. China, Mongolia, Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation). With the theme “The Trade-Transport Facilitation Nexus: Developments and Possible Approaches for North-East Asia”, participants shared their perspectives on how to further amplify the progress achieved in trade facilitation through strengthening its linkages with progress achieved in transport facilitation. The outcomes of the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2019 were presented, including developments on cross-border paperless trade. Officials also shared information on trade facilitation measures which have shown progress according to the latest UN survey.