8 March 2021, Thika, Kenya – To further advance the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development and particularly Goals 4 of Quality Education, 16 of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17 of Partnerships for Development, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has entered a new strategic partnership with Mount Kenya University with the official signing ceremony having taken place on the 8th of March 2021 in the blended format.

1 - 4 March 2021, New York, USA (Virtual) - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, successfully implemented its four-day seminar series entitled “Gender Equality in the International Rights Framework: Building Back Better” from 1-4 March 2021. Over 150 participants joined the session virtually from all over the world during the duration of the series. This series was developed to coincide with the beginning of Women’s History Month and discussed various concerns related to gender equality. This series was supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund, under the programme "Leveling The Playing Field", which focuses on the development of the skills and knowledge of Least Developing Countries.

10 February 2021, New York, USA (Virtual) – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research New York Office (NYO) successfully concluded the two-day virtual seminar entitled “Induction Course for the Members of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission. The ambassadorial-level session of the Induction Course for the Members of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission 2021was attended by over 80 participants and provided the opportunity to discuss priorities.

H.E. Mr. Marco Suazo, UNITAR NYO Head of Office, opened the session by thanking all participants for their attendance and additionally spoke about the goals of the Commission, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Nikhil Seth, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR, followed Mr. Suazo with introductory remarks on the importance of the Commission, including his own experience in it.

9 February 2021, New York, USA -
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research New York Office (UNITAR NYO) and the Peacebuilding Commission Office (PBC) hosted the first day of the Induction Course for the Members of The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission on 9 February 2021. It took place in an online format, attracting over 75 delegates.

14 October 2020, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nation’s Operational Programme for Satellite Analysis and Applied Research (UNOSAT) remotely joined the training on Information Management led by UNITAR Division for Peace. This training was delivered for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in September 2020 in Chad.

17 September 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - The COVID-19 outbreak that began in late 2019 evolved rapidly and globally. The pandemic, and subsequent policy and security measures taken in response, impacted the administration of justice in every legal system around the globe. One of the greatest impacts is that lockdown measures and social distancing have rendered in-person hearings challenging or impossible. The disruption to conducting hearings and other judicial proceedings has the potential to significantly undermine access to justice, due process, and civil and human rights.

September 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - Last August, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) signed a partnership agreement with the Division for Peace of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to review and enhance the curriculum WPDI uses to train their Youth Peacemakers to become leaders and trainers. Building on the wide expertise and experience of UNITAR in providing innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations, and institutions to support global and local action for lasting peace and sustainable development, this collaboration will increase the capacity of WPDI Peacemakers to disseminate knowledge and skills in vulnerable and conflict-affected communities, notably in South Sudan, South Africa, and Uganda.

7 August, Geneva, Switzerland - The Division for Peace of UNITAR is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Paris School of Advanced International and Political Studies (Hautes Études Internationales et Politiques – HEIP Paris). The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding outlines the scope of future collaboration that will include the establishment of a Master's degree and a research centre in various thematic areas such as conflict prevention, peace development and the rule of law, in Paris and North Africa.

Collegium Civitas has become the first Polish university to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Division for Peace. The MoU outlines the scope of prospective collaboration that includes: training and degree programmes in various thematic fields such as sustainable development, international security and the rule of law.

10 June 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - The renewed and expanded partnership between UNITAR Division for Peace and the World Humanitarian Forum (WHF) aims to address the limitations imposed by the pandemic to ensure training and development can be delivered uninterrupted and more importantly, to ensure that no one is left behind. In May, the two partners launched WHF Learning – an online platform that intends to increase the awareness of available free distance learning opportunities for professionals in the international community and beyond. WHF Learning is a part of the broader WHF Digital Series that includes open interactive webinars, online courses and podcasts.