Was established in 1947[2][3] to encourage economic cooperation among its member States. It is one of five regional commissions under the administrative direction of United Nations headquarters. It has 56 member States, and reports to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). As well as countries in Europe, it includes the United States of America, Canada, and the Central Asian republics. The UNECE secretariat headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland and has a budget in the region of $50 million [2].