How can we rescue the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and get in shape for Our Common Agenda for 2050? Part of the way forward is without doubt to embrace the digital and green transitions. In her guest article for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), UNECE Executive Secretary Olga Algayerova notes that digital technologies can improve the lives of many people and help to put us back on track for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But to fully reap this potential, we must redouble efforts to address persistent digital divides in the population and among countries and regions, which amplify existing social, cultural, and economic inequalities.

Young professionals from industry, academia, and civil society came together to discuss and explore solutions for sustainable resource management at the UNECE Resource Management Week 2023. Hosted by the UNECE Resource Management Young Member Group (RMYMG), the highly interactive session provided a platform for intergenerational collaboration to discuss ideas around fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation in resource management. UNECE is the first UN body to dedicate a high-level meeting exclusively to young speakers on how to shape the future of sustainable resource management for future generations.

Uzbekistan is one of the world's largest producers of gold and uranium. But the expected rise in mining and associated by-products bring accident and pollution risks, which could also affect neighbouring countries. UNECE is thus supporting the Government of Uzbekistan to increase safety by establishing an inter-institutional working group on tailings safety and the prevention of accidental water pollution, to serve as a platform for and to improve inter-institutional coordination and cooperation among relevant stakeholders in preventing accidental water pollution with potential cross-border effects.

Experts from Albania and Montenegro have recently met to exchange information on the shared Cijevna/Cem River. This was the second meeting of the joint technical group on monitoring and assessment established upon recommendation of the Implementation Committee under the UNECE Water Convention. Albania and Montenegro are receiving assistance in the framework of an advisory procedure, initiated in response to a request made by Montenegro related to its concerns about the possible transboundary impact of planned additional small hydropower plants on the Cijevna/Cem River in Albania. This work should advance cooperation of Albania and Montenegro under the Framework Agreement on Mutual Relations in the Field of Management of Transboundary Waters concluded in 2018.