At the time of its establishment in 1947 it chiefly included the states participating in the reconstruction of post-war Europe. The same year even the Czechoslovakia joined the platform. Current members include apart from European nations, US and Canada also countries in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and Western Asia (Israel).

UNECE therefore embraces some of the world’s wealthiest powers as well as states with a relatively low level of development.

The diversity of its member states represents a major challenge to UNECE. Through the establishment of norms and regulations and promotion of policy dialog the platform aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences and ensure financial but also technical aid to countries in need, thus subsequently enhancing sustainable development and global economic prosperity. Additionally it intends to ease international cooperation within and outside the region.

UNECE also generally improves the effectiveness of the UN through the regional implementation of outcomes of global UN Conferences and Summits.