A world in which individuals, institutions and organizations are equipped with the knowledge, skills and other capacities to overcome global challenges. - UNITAR's Vision 

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future.

UNITAR was created in 1963 to train and equip young diplomats from newly-independent UN Member States with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate through the diplomatic environment.

Over the years, UNITAR has acquired unique expertise and experience in designing and delivering a variety of training activities. We have become a leading institute in the provision of customized and creative learning solutions to institutions and individuals from both public and private sectors.

With a strategy fully focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNITAR supports Governments to implement the 2030 Agenda. 

We transform mindsets by offering learning, analytical and capacity-centred solutions for a more sustainable world.

Our four-year strategic framework is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and uses the Sustainable Development Goals as the guiding principle for our work with the strategic objectives organized around four out of five thematic pillars of the 2030 Agenda (Peace, People, Planet and Prosperity).

In addition to the four thematic pillars, the cross-cutting nature of our work on strengthening multilateral diplomacy, promoting the 2030 Agenda, and delivering applied research solutions through technology and data (UNOSAT) contributes to delivering our products and services in all pillars.

UNITAR provides training and capacity development activities to assist mainly developing countries with special attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other groups and communities who are most vulnerable, including those in conflict situations.  

In 2022, UNITAR delivered over 1,300 learning and related activities, including training, learning and knowledge sharing events, benefiting close to 400,000 learners – about 79% of whom were from developing countries including Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Fifty-five per cent of the Institute’s activities were delivered face-to-face, whilst fifty-five per cent were delivered via UNITAR’s e-Learning platform.  Eighty-nine per cent of UNITAR’s face-to-face activities took place at the country level, whilst some are conducted from UNITAR’s Headquarters in Geneva, as well as through its Offices in New York and Hiroshima.

UNITAR is governed by a Board of Trustees and is headed by an Executive Director.

The Institute is a project-based organization and does not receive any funds from the regular United Nations budget.  UNITAR is financed entirely from voluntary contributions derived mainly from UN Member States, other UN agencies, international and intergovernmental organizations, foundations NGOs and the private sector.

We work in the spirit of leaving no one behind and we strive to reach the furthest first. To achieve this, our training plan depends also on donor support. We appeal to donor countries and other donor entities to help us so we can design and deliver high-quality training especially to countries in special situations.

UNITAR is guided by a four-year strategic framework which articulates the Institute’s vision, mission, core values and strategic objectives and enablers. The framework outlines the direction that UNITAR will take and serves as the foundation for planning and budgeting, mobilizing resources, crafting partnerships, delivering results and measuring and evaluating performance.

The framework was approved by the UNITAR Board of Trustees. The framework is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and is structured around five pillars that correspond to four of the five thematic pillars of the 2030 Agenda: Peace, People, Planet and Prosperity. The framework includes a fifth objective aimed at supporting the integrated and indivisible nature of the Agenda through crosscutting programming. Four strategic enablers are also identified, including people and partnerships; quality, learning and evaluation; strategic communication; and business processes.