The use of specialized software is an important component of advanced geographic information and satellite derived analysis; both need reliable technology for geographic information systems (GIS) and geodatabase management. Geographic information systems integrate hardware, software and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.

UNITAR’s partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Nigeria continues to grow with the selection of training candidates from all the 9 Niger Delta states for the UNITAR/RKK Technical Skills training in Namibia, following the previous Automation training in Norway. These programs were conceived as part of efforts to tackle the high level of youth unemployment and restiveness in the region.

19 August 2011, New York, USA — The New York Office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the United Nations Democracy Fund are pleased to announce the launch of a panel on “Democracy and Development”, on Thursday, 1 September, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

In addition to mapping and GIS solutions for humanitarian emergency response and human security, UNOSAT is strongly engaged in helping countries and UN organizations develop their capacity in satellite derived analysis and the use of geospatial information for territorial planning and monitoring. Several in-country programmes are ongoing. Nigeria is a case in point where strong tangible results have been achieved in just one year.

1 to 6 August 2011, Addis Ababa.

August 2011, Western Cape, South Africa -The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (D: EA&DP) has developed a mercury emissions inventory of the Province, following the methodology proposed in UNEP’s Toolkit for the Identification and Quantification for Mercury Emissions.

19 August 2011, Geneva, Switzerland - As the international community and the public celebrate today the World Humanitarian Day the crisis in the Horn of Africa continues to unfold as humanitarian agencies step up their response. A catastrophic combination of conflict, high food prices and drought is gripping much of the Horn of Africa and Somalia in particular.

Arusha/Geneva-Trade Policy Training Centre in Africa (TRAPCA) and UNITAR have agreed to launch the pilot phase of a joint e-Learning project, and specifically to develop and conduct an online course on “Key issues of international trade” for the benefit of African media professionals.

16 August 2011, Geneva, Switzerland - In yet another practical development of the recent UNOSAT-ADPC partnership , the well-known GIS training course offered by Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre will include as of this year new UNOSAT modules on post-disaster impact and damage analysis in emergency response mapping. The course will be held in Bangkok from 17-28 October 2011.

12 August 2011, Geneva, Switzerland – UNOSAT announced today the completion of one essential step forward in its plan to secure long-term efficient and rapid access to satellite imagery to derive accurate and timely information in support of humanitarian relief and human security.