Based in the political core of the United Nations, UNITAR Office in New York (NYO) continues to provide resources to the permanent missions and the New York diplomatic community. Through meaningful contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the programmes and events bring public awareness, education and training, and the enhancement of global decision-making to public policy officials. One of the ways to achieve peace around the world is to work together. UNITAR has been collaborating with organizations associated with the UN System to foster and enhance the goals of the UN through programmes and events in particular the pillar of peace.
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The learning programmes of UNITAR have influenced several UN Members. H.E. Ms. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the UN, says:
The UN, even for an experienced diplomat like myself, is a complex organization…so just clarifying the architecture of the UN, fundamental and basic, no one does it like UNITAR. In terms of the capacity, we are looking for, in terms of procedures and practices, as we limbered up to move to the Security Council, we ran special customized sessions in cooperation with UNITAR, invaluable for our team.
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The programmes and events organized by UNITAR have a real impact on the accountability of Members of all levels. H.E. Ms. Vanessa Frazier, Ambassador of Malta to the UN, says:
UNITAR always covers areas which we are discussing in the UN. For newcomers, the introductory course should be a must for everybody at every level. As a permanent representative, I found it as interesting and important as the lowest ranking diplomat I have in my office.
The institutions around the world are constantly evolving but through learning, people change their attitudes and behaviors to support the planet, politically and environmentally. UNITAR works across large communities in government, academia, civil society, and business to influence attitudes with knowledge.
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At the end of 2021, UNITAR Office in New York and the Global Foundation for the Performing Arts (GFPA) hosted Building Resilience Through Hope, a concert piano recital by Mr. Bryon Wei-Xin Zhou in Carnegie Hall. Over one thousand vaccinated individuals attended the successful event which several UN Member States sponsored. The recital promoted peace and community by bringing hopes of COVID-19 recovery, rebuilding sustainability, and revitalizing the UN.
As H.E Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, said in his keynote speech, music is a great way to connect with people from different communities and the theme of the piano recital brought a positive note to the UN.
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Similarly, the launching of the flagship initiative, President of the General Assembly (PGA) Fellowship for HOPE (Harnessing Opportunities for Promoting Empowerment of Youth), in collaboration with the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA) furthers the work the NYO has done to promote teamwork and enhancing diplomatic training.
Ms. Margaret Tatenda Chikawa, General Assembly HOPE Fellow of Zimbabwe says:
There’s a lot to be learned in the field and a diplomat like myself from a landlocked developing country doesn’t necessarily have these opportunities to learn firsthand about multilateralism and about diplomacy in general.
The lessons and courses the 8 young diplomats/civil servants will experience over their nine month-long fellowship in New York will benefit them once they return to their home countries. Ms. Dierda Sealy, General Assembly HOPE Fellow of Grenada, says:
Eventually, when we get back home, we will have a wealth of knowledge to share with our colleagues and our ministries.
The programme promotes multilateralism and aims to support the next generation of diplomats from underrepresented countries, ensuring geographical representation and gender balance.
UNITAR office in New York has been conducting orientation training for the elect members of the Security Council. Recently, the countries that participated include Mexico, Ireland, Norway, India, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Tunisia, and Vietnam.
The 2022 elected members of the Security Council are Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates.
UNITAR is dedicated to partnering with different organizations, associated with the UN or not, to promote a more peaceful and sustainable world through teaching and learning. Participants of programmes and events led by UNITAR would be better equipped with the knowledge, skills, and capacities to overcome global challenges.