Invitation

Dear Madam, Sir,

The "Joint UNCTAD-UNECE Workshop: Climate Change Impacts on International Transport Networks" will be held on 8 September 2010 in Room XXI, Palais des Nations, Geneva. The event is organized as part of the twenty-third session of the UNECE Working Party on Transport Trends and Economics and as part of a series of UNECE activities focused on climate change and transport. It also builds on the expertise and earlier work by UNCTAD on related issues, including UNCTAD's Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport and Trade Facilitation: "Maritime Transport and the Climate Change Challenge" held on 16-18 February 2009.

The Joint Workshop is expected to raise awareness among UNECE and UNCTAD member States, transport industry stakeholders, and intergovernmental/non-governmental organizations about the potentially important challenges climate change impacts and adaptation requirements present for international transportation - a complex set of issues that has so far received little attention. It is hoped that it will provide a platform for fruitful and considered discussions and set the pace for future work on how best to bridge the knowledge gaps related to our understanding of climate change impacts on transport networks with a view to identifying adequate adaptation responses. Discussions are expected to cover issues relating to different modes of transportation in international supply-chains, taking into account the situation in both developed and developing countries.

Relevant documents, including a background note and a preliminary draft programme and a registration form are attached. For additional information pertaining to the workshop please visit our websistes: www.unctad.org/ttl/legal and http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp5/wp5_workshop4.html



Registration: please complete the attached registration form should be sent by fax or e-mail to Ms. Anastasia Barinova (fax: +41-22-917 0039; e-mail: anastasia.barinova@unece.org) or Ms. Hassiba Benamara (fax:+41-22-917 00 50; e-mail: hassiba.benamara@unctad.org).



We hope to welcome you at the Workshop in Geneva.