Question:
According to the commitments in the EVFTA, Vietnam is required to join the UNECE 1958 Agreement when the EVFTA comes into effect. What does the UNECE 1958 Agreement encompass? In the case of Vietnam’s accession to the UNECE 1958 Agreement, which authority has the power to approve this Agreement?
Answer:
– The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five regional commissions under the authority of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). UNECE’s main goal is to promote economic integration in Europe. UNECE comprises 56 member countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. However, any United Nations member interested can participate in UNECE’s activities. Over 70 international professional organizations and other non-governmental organizations have participated in UNECE’s activities.
– The UNECE 1958 Agreement is an agreement on the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles and equipment, parts, and items that can be fitted and/or used on wheeled vehicles, and on conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these United Nations (UN) Regulations.
– The UN Regulations cover the following key content:
a. Motor vehicles, equipment, or parts thereof;
b. Technical requirements;
c. Testing methods;
d. Conditions for approval;
e. Date of entry into force of United Nations Regulations;
f. Information documents to be supplied by the manufacturer.
– In recent years, the Ministry of Transport has participated in the meetings of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29), which is the custodian organization for the UNECE 1958 Agreement, as an observer. It is expected that in 2020, the Ministry of Transport will submit to the Prime Minister for consideration the accession to the Agreement and recommend that the Prime Minister instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit an application for Vietnam’s accession to the UNECE Agreement.
