Recognising the need for pooling the expertise built-up by the UN regional economic and social commissions in their respective regions, UNU-CRIS reached an agreement with UN-ESCWA, UN-ESCAP, UN-ECLAC, UN-ECA, UN-ECE and UNCTAD to launch an Annual World Report on Regional Integration, under the coordination of UNU-CRIS. The World Report will contain regional reports, combined with thematic contributions (involving other academic institutions) and a statistical section showing the trends and important events related to the macro-regional level of socio-economic governance in the world.

This World Report on Regional Integration aims to fill a gap in the suply of world reports and has the ambition to become a leading reference point for future debates among policy-makers, academics and the broader public on the role of regions in world governance.

The first volume was published in 2007 looking at multilateral, regional and bilateral aspects of trade and investment. In November 2007 the report was presented at the Résidence Palace under the presence of UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi. In April 2008 the first volume was presented at book launches in the United States in New York and Washington.

The second volume will focus on regional and global perspectives of aid for trade. The third volume will address the position and importance of regional organisations in the context of the United Nations. 

Contact person: Philippe De Lombaerde