United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced today the appointment of Nikhil Seth of India as Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). He will succeed Sally Fegan-Wyles of Ireland, to whom the Secretary-General expressed his utmost gratitude for her dedication and commitment to the United Nations.

Following the success of the WMO Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services in 2014, the first activity under UNITAR’s new Women’s Leadership Programme took place during the Seventeenth World Meteorological Congress (Cg-17). With over 20 participants, including Permanent Representatives, and other senior members of delegations, the workshop succeeded in providing a positive, empowering and engaging environment for learning, self-reflection and development and the building of a strong network amongst women and female professionals in the field of meteorology.

Hand-in-Hand with UN Women and the UN System, UNITAR launches its Women’s Leadership Programme at the high Level Panel on “Women in Diplomacy: The Leading Role of Women in Weather and Climate Contexts” at the WMO Congress (Cg-17).

Possessing effective communication skills is crucial for 21st century diplomats. As Internet technology propels the evolution of the global media landscape, it is vital for diplomats to be familiar with the latest media and communication trends. Offering strategies to handle this challenge, UNITAR organized a five-day workshop on "Communication, Active Listening, Public Speaking and Working with the Media" in London, at the request of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The second edition of the annual Retreat convened by the United Nations Secretary-General took place in Torino, Italy, on 29 and 30 August 2008. The Retreat provides an opportunity for top UN officials to exchange ideas and reflect on how best the Organization can tackle current challenges and discharge its high profile responsibilities more effectively. The annual event has been organized as a joint effort between UNITAR, the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), and the Department of Management in the UN Secretariat.