Ibrahima Nour Eddine Diagne, Director General of GAINDE 2000, has been elected as the president of the United Nations Centre for the Facilitation of Trade and Electronic Transactions (UN/CEFACT) for a three-year term from 2026 to 2029. The election took place during the organization's plenary session in Geneva. This marks the first time a representative from the Global South has been elected to lead this strategic UN body.
Diagne's election is seen as a significant milestone for Senegal, as it reinforces the country's presence in international discussions on trade facilitation, digital transformation, and the harmonization of external trade procedures. As president, Diagne will be supported by a bureau comprising ten vice-presidents from various countries, including Australia, Canada, Italy, and the United States.
UN/CEFACT, which operates under the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), plays a crucial role in developing standards and recommendations to simplify, harmonize, and digitalize commercial procedures. The organization has developed 49 policy recommendations and nearly 900 data standards and models, which help countries modernize their import and export procedures, reduce administrative formalities, and facilitate information exchange between stakeholders.
One of UN/CEFACT's notable achievements is the development of standards for single windows for foreign trade, which enable the centralization of administrative formalities, and the UN/LOCODE system, used to harmonize the identification of ports, airports, and other locations involved in international trade. Interoperability of systems is a key challenge, as it enables administrations and businesses to communicate using common frameworks, reducing information breakdowns and transaction costs.
Diagne's presidency comes at a time when the world is experiencing rapid digital transformation in international trade. He has expressed his commitment to strengthening the participation of different regions in UN/CEFACT's work, promoting the use of its standards and recommendations, and reducing trade costs. These goals are particularly relevant for developing economies, which often face challenges due to fragmented digital infrastructures and cumbersome administrative procedures.
Diagne has thanked the Senegalese authorities, including President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, for their support for his candidacy. He has also acknowledged the contribution of the Senegalese diplomatic network and the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the United Nations in Geneva. Diagne's election has been hailed as a recognition of Senegal's role in shaping international trade norms and standards.
As Diagne begins his three-year term, the focus will be on his ability to promote the adoption of UN/CEFACT's standards, particularly among developing economies, and to support the digital transformation of international trade. His leadership will be crucial in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving global trade landscape.
Key points
- Ibrahima Nour Eddine Diagne, a Senegalese diplomat, has been elected president of UN/CEFACT, a UN body that facilitates international trade and electronic transactions.
- Diagne's election marks the first time a representative from the Global South has led this strategic UN body.
- As president, Diagne will focus on promoting the use of UN/CEFACT's standards and recommendations, reducing trade costs, and supporting the digital transformation of international trade.
