31 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland - Florida International University (FIU), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and Outreach Aid to the Americas (OAA) proudly announce the ceremonial signing of a trilateral agreement to officially establish CIFAL Miami, a centre for excellence in leadership training and capacity building. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, CIFAL Miami joins the prestigious network of CIFAL centres worldwide, working under the UNITAR framework to strengthen the capacities of public authorities, civil society leaders, and the private sector. This partnership between UNITAR, OAA, and FIU will enable CIFAL Miami to provide training, strategic learning events, and knowledge exchange programmes, promoting collaboration to address global and local challenges.

28 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR and ADN Group are proud to announce the fourth edition of World Negotiation Day, taking place in Doha on December 9th 2024. Doha World Negotiation Day 2024 will take place in association with, and generously supported by the Doha Forum. Nominations for 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year' are open now.

24 October 2024, In September, Member States came together to adopt a visionary Pact for the Future aimed at aligning international efforts with contemporary realities and future challenges. Today, on UN Day, the six research and training institutes of the United Nations reaffirm their commitment to supporting the Pact of the Future through specialized knowledge, learning, research and training for the UN system – benefitting the world as a whole.

22 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland - Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is a country known for its breathtaking landscapes and mountainous terrain. However, this landlocked nation faces significant environmental challenges. As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Bhutan’s fragile ecosystem, with around 2,700 glaciers, is increasingly impacted by global warming. Melting glaciers have led to increased risks of floods, landslides, and other natural disasters, threatening communities and ecosystems.

In response to these challenges, the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), in collaboration with Bhutan’s government, has focused on enhancing the country’s resilience through the use of advanced geospatial information technologies (GIT). By strengthening local capacities, UNOSAT plays a pivotal role in supporting Bhutan’s efforts to address climate vulnerability and improve disaster risk management.

21 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is running the emergency training programme “Rapid Assistance for Sudan: Promoting Socioeconomic Stability through Institutional Capacity and Livelihood Development”. This initiative aims to address the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises in Sudan by equipping displaced populations with market-relevant skills and promoting entrepreneurship to stimulate economic recovery.

18 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland. UNIDO, UNITAR and SDSN with support from DLA Piper are organizing a side event “Capabilities 4 the Future Hub” at UNIDO Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum 2024 (MIFP) on 23 October 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The side event will convene the main Champions of the Capabilities 4 the Future Hub and explore how the Hub can offer a space for government agencies, private sector and educational and training institutions to prepare and manage these transitions through participatory dialogue and learning strategies at global, sectoral and national levels enabling them to innovate and create the highest joint returns to prosperity, society and environment for those who participate in inclusive and sustainable Global Value Chains.

18 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR will participate in the AidEx 2024 exhibition in Geneva, on 23 and 24 October 2024. In this humanitarian aid and disaster relief event, UNITAR’s exhibit is themed “Empowering Changemakers: A Force for Sustainable Future ”. The UNITAR exhibition highlights the impact of training women, youth and professionals in Asia and the Pacific Island countries, the Middle East, African countries, and Ukraine on lifelong practical digital skills, community-based disaster risk reduction, and effective and inclusive leadership to support sustainable and strategic economic growth.

10 October 2024 Nadi, Fiji – On 10 October 2024, the final day of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Sea and Human Security regional workshop in Fiji, around 70 agents of change from eight Pacific Island countries presented their group projects, exhibiting their improved skills and collaborative spirits to tackle sea and human security issues.

9 October 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – UNITAR wrapped up the first phase of the “Leave No One Behind: Rapid Response to Climate Crises through Early Warning Systems” training programme with the fourth and final virtual classroom on 24 September. For two months, over 200 enthusiastic officials and professionals from 16 Pacific Island countries explored risk assessment, tools, knowledge, and technologies in early warning systems (EWS) through asynchronous online learning.

7 October 2024, Geneva – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly launched the third edition of the online training course "Trade and Food Security for the Near East and North Africa (NENA)", which aims to strengthen government capacity to develop and implement trade policies and negotiate trade agreements. The course will run from 6 October to 2 November 2024, facilitated by experts and delivered in Arabic.