Board of Trustees Concludes its Fifty-fifth Session
24 November 2014, Geneva, Switzerland - The Institute’s Board of Trustees concluded its Fifty-fifth Session, which convened in Geneva from 20-21 November. In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Board, Ambassador Henri Lopes, described the present period as a UNITAR moment, with 2014 marking 50 years of UNITAR service to United Nations Member States. He emphasized the results of UNITAR programme provide evidence that the Institute is making an important contribution to the lives of countless individuals from all corners of the world, and he noted that the mandate and mission of UNITAR remain ever so relevant and important to development.
At the session, the Board adopted the proposed revision of the 2014-2015 Programme Budget and reviewed a number of programming highlights, including the UNCC: Learn introductory online course on climate change which has received more than 9,000 registrations since the course was launched earlier this year; training and related capacity development programming on the green economy; Post 2015 programming; and UNOSAT rapid mapping. In a video message to the Board from the Executive Director of UNEP, Mr. Achim Steiner underscored the important role that UNITAR plays in the UN Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (PAGE), describing the initiative as a far-reaching example of UN agencies coming together rapidly and deploying their comparative advantages for collective benefit.
The Board also took note of 2012-2013 programme performance and the draft 2014 progress report, and concluded that the Institute’s Management should prioritize finding funding for more independent evaluation of UNITAR programming. The Board also recommended Management to enhance partnerships with research entities, including those from non-governmental sectors, and recognized the importance of focusing on research in areas where UNITAR has a comparative advantage.
The Board elected by acclamation Ambassador Taous Ferhoukhi and Ambassador Thomas Fitschen as its next Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, effective 1 January 2015. The Board also elected Ambassador Alexandre Fasel as a member of the Finance Committee.
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Photo 1: From left to right: Sally Fegan-Wyles, Acting Head, Executive Director, UNITAR, H.E. Mr. Henri Lopes, Chairman of the UNITAR Board of Trustees, Brook Boyer, Secretary of the UNITAR Board of Trustees.
Photo 2: Members of the UNITAR Board of Trustees in session.