In 2007, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and UNITAR agreed to launch a joint e-Learning initiative in the area of economic development and trade in order to better meet the urgent capacity development needs of French-speaking developing countries. The first joint online course was held in April 2007 and generated a thundering response with over 1,000 nominations submitted for 125 seats in the course.

Carlos Fuentes, world renowned Mexican writer, and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Turkish scholar and Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, are the guest speakers of the next edition of the Geneva Lecture Series to take place on 16 September 2010, at the Palais des Nations. This 5th lecture followed by an open debate with the Geneva public will focus on the following subject: “Building bridges: intercultural dialogue, identities and migration”.

On the 28th of June 2010 seven participants from Egi Land in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria attended a five-day intensive training course to develop regional Master Trainers on Micro-Enterprise Acceleration (MAP). The training seeks to provide the trainees with key technical and facilitation skills, as well as the knowledge necessary to implement the MAP curriculum.

A New York Times article dated 20 August 2010 uses analysis released by UNOSAT, UNITAR Operational Satellite Applications Programme. The article, focused on the worsening situation in flood affected Pakistan, reports “Millions have been left homeless by flooding that extends across Pakistan.

As the number of people affected by the floods in Pakistan increases, UNOSAT received additional requests from the Pakistani government and international humanitarian organisations to expand its analysis and mapping efforts.

The National Environment Agency of The Gambia, with the support of UNITAR, launched a new project to “Strengthen Capacities for Implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) and support GHS capacity building” at a workshop in Banjul on 18 August 2010.

The Executive Director of UNITAR and the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) accompanied by senior staff from both offices have met in August to discuss a set of requirements by the Office of the High Commissioner in the area of satellite derived mapping and geospatial analysis.

The second World Humanitarian Day takes place this year on 19 August to honour and celebrate the work of humanitarian workers.