About UN ECE
UNECE's major aim is to promote pan-European economic integration. UNECE includes 56 member States in Europe, North America and Asia. However, all interested United Nations member States may participate in the work of UNECE. Over 70 international professional organizations and other non-governmental organizations take part in UNECE activities.Activities by UN ECE
Fostering interoperability and open-source solutions to accelerate the digital transformation of the energy system
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Republic of MoldovaOpen-source solutions, international standardization, related frameworks, and opensource initiatives are identified as key elements in overcoming interoperability challenges and driving the digital transformation forward. This document, jointly developed by the Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency and the Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems on the platform of the Task Force on Digitalization in Energy, focuses on promoting interoperability and open-source solutions to accelerate the digital transformation of the energy system. It presents the context and the rationale behind, defines key concepts, and explores dimensions of interoperability notably in the electricity sector, and highlights both the benefits and challenges associated with investment in interoperability and concludes with policy recommendations to create an enabling environment for such investments. The document offers guidance on promoting interoperability and open-source solutions in energy systems, enables UNECE member States (and beyond) to establish digital energy infrastructure more effectively, reduce costs, streamline data exchange, and enhance system resilience, and offers a set of policy recommendations on standardization and operational alignment, establishment of data governance frameworks, and policy and regulatory coordination.
Activity Type Technical AssistancePolicy/Regulatory GuidanceInfrastructure/Systems DevelopmentDevelopment of recommendations for global Automated Driving System safety requirements, including methods for scenario generation and verifiable criteria, covering the corresponding principles.
Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States CanadaChinaGermanyJapanThis project developed and submitted recommendations for global Automated Driving System (ADS) safety requirements. Experts considered specific definitions and industry use cases, and adopted initial considerations on Artificial Intelligence in the context of road vehicles.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceNetworks/Mentorship/ExchangeUN-Energy joint action on Digitalization
Global Belgium
Digitalization is a key enabler of the sustainable energy transition and a critical accelerator of progress toward ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. As a cross-cutting enabler, digitalization reshapes how energy systems are planned, operated and governed, alongside advancing inclusion, resilience, and accountability. The transformation is evident across three key, interrelated dimensions:
1. Systemic change: Digital technologies enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and increased systems durability, decentralised energy management, and integrated planning, including of hybrid systems and low-emissions mini-grids. These applications reduce energy losses, enhance reliability, and improve access and affordability of energy services. Particularly in areas where access to basic energy services is limited, the application of digital technologies enables collecting energy data, establishing baselines, optimizing energy solutions and minimizing adverse environmental, health, and financial consequences from indoor air pollution to stranded infrastructure, tracking energy consumption patterns, and supporting energy-efficient behaviours, and eventually of the energy sector.
2. Evidence-based policymaking: Enhanced availability of high-quality, real-time data and reliable and accessible online data monitoring platforms (Dashboards), enables policymakers to plan, implement, and track policy interventions more effectively. Digitalization also strengthens coordination across sectors, increases transparency, and supports investment by building trust and accountability.
3. Governance frameworks: Digitalization, and its evolution into a digital transformation, opens avenues for participatory governance, integrated service delivery, and institutional strengthening, scaling-up capacity-building programmes and deployment of successful projects. Robust digital governance facilitates harmonised data collection and management, and ensures long-term sustainability and equitable outcomes, anchored in principles of cybersecurity, data privacy, and interoperability.
To unlock the full potential of digitalization, it must be systematically integrated into national energy strategies, supported by regulatory innovation, investment in digital infrastructure, and development of human and technical capacity. UN-Energy will help reduce fragmentation by mapping current efforts, identifying common priorities, convening partners and supporting practical guidance, peer learning and capacity-building for inclusive and resilient digital transformation.
The twin transition in non-electricity sector
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Not ApplicableThis document discusses the role of digitalization in energy sectors other than electricity, and raises the important questions surrounding the subject. One of the stated goals is to raise awareness among the member States and the expert community across geographies about the ongoing research on this track, calling for collaboration and in-depth analysis.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsAwareness/Advocacy