23 January 2020, New York, U.S.A – The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office kicked of its year of trainings for 2020 organizing jointly with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) a one-day orientation course for the members of the Council. This activity is supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund and hosted in the United Nations Headquarters in Conference Room 8.

When Lu’isa Uai Taunga, an officer with the National Emergency Management Office in the Kingdom of Tonga, participated in the UNITAR Disaster Risk Reduction Training which wrapped up in November 2017, she left with renewed energy and ideas for new initiatives to prepare her community in the island group of Ha’apai in the event of a disaster.

“We are vulnerable to tropical cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, drought and flash floods and it’s an all year cycle,” said Lu’isa Uai Taunga, a citizen of the Kingdom of Tonga, who participated in the UNITAR Disaster Risk Reduction Training which concluded in November 2017.

29 November 2019, Geneva, Switzerland - The Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) concluded its Sixtieth Session, which convened from 28 to 29 November 2019. Key decisions of the session include adoption of the $88 million programme budget for 2020-2021 and the integration into UNITAR of The Defeat-NCD Partnership with a biennial budget of $31 million.

4 - 5 November 2019, Lima, Peru - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office participated in the “X Virtual Educa Multilateral Forum” within the framework of the XXI Virtual Educa Peru meeting, represented by UNITAR Head of New York Office, Mr. Marco A. Suazo, who serves as president of the Advisory Council of Virtual Educa.

27 September 2019, New York, USA – The Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), Executive Director of United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Mr. Nikhil Seth, delivered a speech at the ‘International Conference on Peace and Investment Prospects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region’ which took place at the Millennium Hilton Hotel, New York.

24 September 2019, New York, USA – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Women Forward International (WFI) at the UNITAR New York Office to collaborate on new training courses for women.

22 September 2019, New York, USA – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office participated in the World Health Organization (WHO) event, ‘Walk the Talk – The Health for All Challenge’ at Central Park, New York City ahead of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. It brought together thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world who took part in several events including the highlight activity, a 4-mile walk around Central Park.

4 September 2019, Geneva, Switzerland - Strategy consultants from Simon-Kucher & Partners visited UNITAR over the summer to explore and assess new income streams for growth.

29 August 2019 Yokohama, Japan - TICAD7 official side-event panel discussion, Building Bridges for Peace in South Sudan, has successfully concluded in Yokohoma last Thursday. H.E. James Wani Igga, Vice President of South Sudan also joined the panel along with Hon. Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of South Sudan. Mr. Nihkil Seth, Executive Director of UNITAR, moderated the session. The discussion examined the peace-building efforts in South Sudan and emphasized the importance of promoting the national capacity for post-conflict reconstruction in tandem with the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The panelists emphasized the significance to engage in youth and invest in the development of sustainable peace and prosperity in South Sudan.