The Sixth UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2025 has been launched by UNECE, in collaboration with the four other United Nations Regional Commissions and United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This survey includes 62 measures, including new ones on ‘Trade Facilitation for E-Commerce’ and ‘Green Trade Facilitation’, and covers the implementation of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) as well as advanced paperless and cross-border trade facilitation measures. It also focuses on inclusive and sustainable trade, aiming to move towards a “WTO TFA+” implementation.
The results of the 2025 Survey will be published in July on untfsurvey.org, followed by the production of Global and Regional Reports. The Survey aims to provide valuable information to support countries and policymakers in utilizing trade as a key means of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addition, the Survey assists countries in:
– Developing national trade facilitation roadmaps, such as the recent one for Uzbekistan with UNECE’s technical assistance.
– Providing information for the accession process of UNECE member states to the WTO. For example, the UNECE Regional Report 2024 included a section highlighting the progress of trade facilitation implementation in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in the context of their accession to the WTO.
The UNECE Regional Report 2024, based on the 2023 UN Global Survey results, showed a 5% improvement in trade facilitation performance for the 48 participating UNECE member states, with the implementation rate rising from 76% in 2021 to almost 81% in 2023.
The UNECE region had a higher overall implementation rate compared to the global average, with “Transparency” measures at 96% and “Formalities” at 87%.
The average implementation rate for digital trade facilitation measures in the UNECE region was 82% for “Paperless trade” and 56% for “Cross-border paperless trade”.
The report findings provide guidance for the future and emphasize the importance of collaboration between governments and international organizations in implementing trade facilitation measures. This is especially crucial given the current challenges facing international trade.
Governments, specialized agencies, and intergovernmental organizations can contribute to the development and acceleration of trade facilitation measures, particularly those utilizing digital technologies that promote climate-smart trade, reduce trade costs, and streamline trade-related procedures.
UNECE urges all relevant actors and donors to support the work of UN/CEFACT in developing and updating policy instruments and tools, including recommendations, standards, and guidelines. They should also continue to provide resources for capacity building and technical assistance in the 17 UNECE programme countries to enhance progress in trade facilitation in the region.
The Survey is part of the Joint UNRECs Approach to Trade Facilitation, agreed upon by the Executive Secretaries of the five UN Regional Commissions. This approach aims to present a joint perspective on key trade facilitation issues, particularly at the regional and interregional levels, and enhance the effectiveness of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives.
As the international focal point for trade facilitation recommendations and standards, UNECE develops instruments to simplify, harmonize, and digitize procedures in international trade. The Survey also serves as a means to monitor the adoption and impact of such solutions for economic cooperation and integration, both regionally and globally.
If you are an expert in trade facilitation for your country and would like to participate in the Survey, click here for the questionnaire and more details about the methodology. For further information, please contact Ms. Jie Wei directly.