03 June 2026 | Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and regional stakeholders, is expanding its capacity-building efforts through a series of training programmes on Agriculture in Trade Agreements (AITA) and Trade, Food Security and Nutrition (TFSN). Delivered between 2026 and early 2027, these initiatives aim to strengthen the ability of policymakers and practitioners to address interconnected challenges related to trade, agriculture, food security, and nutrition.

Background

As global food systems face increasing pressures from climate change, economic volatility, and evolving trade dynamics, there is a growing need for integrated and evidence-based policy approaches. UNITAR, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and regional partners, delivers training programmes that equip stakeholders with tools to navigate the complexities of agriculture in trade agreements and their implications for sustainable development.

In Africa, the Malabo Declaration underscores the importance of boosting intra-African agricultural trade as a driver of transformation, helping address structural challenges such as small domestic markets and diverse agro-ecological conditions.

More broadly, trade is recognized as a key enabler of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, ensuring that agricultural trade contributes to food security and nutrition remains a central policy challenge. Strengthening technical capacities to design and implement coherent, evidence-based trade policies is therefore essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

Programme Rollout Across Regions

UNITAR’s upcoming training cycles reflect a broad geographic reach and thematic continuity, with programmes delivered in multiple languages and adapted to regional priorities.

  • Agriculture in Trade Agreements - Middle East 
    • 28 June – 30 July 2026 (Arabic)
    • Deadline: 1st June 2026
    • Apply here: الزراعة في اتفاقيات التجارة | UNITAR
    • Targeted countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
  • Trade, Food Security and Nutrition - Africa 
    • 13 Jul - 14 Aug 2026 (English)
    • Deadline: 3 May 2026
    • Apply here: Trade, Food Security and Nutrition (TFSN) | UNITAR
    • Focused on Eastern and Southern Africa, this programme explores the interlinkages between trade policies, food security, and nutrition outcomes, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and resilience-building strategies. this session will engage participants from the following countries: Angola, Burundi, Botswana, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
  • Agriculture in Trade Agreements – Caucasus and Central Asia
  • Trade, Food Security and Nutrition / Agriculture in Trade Agreements – Asia and the Pacific 
    • 1 February – 5 March 2027 (English) 
    • Call for Application to be available in Q3 of 2026 or email us at pft-elearning@unitar.org so we can inform you when the registration is active.
    • This regional edition will address the intersection of trade agreements, food security, and nutrition across Asia and the Pacific.
  • Trade, Food Security and Nutrition– MENA Region 
    • 14 March – 10 April 2027 (Arabic) 
    • Call for Application to be available in Q3 of 2026 or email us at pft-elearning@unitar.org so we can inform you when the registration is active. 
    • Building on previous engagements, this session will further strengthen regional capacities in integrating trade, food security, and nutrition strategies.

Target Audience

The training programmes are designed for:

  • Government officials from ministries of agriculture, trade, and finance
  • Representatives of farmer associations and civil society organizations
  • Academic and research institutions
  • Trade and development practitioners
  • Policy advisors and technical experts

Registration and Participation

Participation in UNITAR’s training programmes is application-based and highly competitive, with limited slots available for each regional cohort. Candidates are selected through a process led by UNITAR and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, considering geographical balance and gender representation.

The courses are offered free of charge and delivered fully online through UNITAR’s e-learning platform. They combine self-paced modules, expert-led webinars, case studies, discussion forums, and assessment quizzes, allowing participants to engage flexibly while applying knowledge to real-world policy contexts.

Applicants are required to:

  • Demonstrate professional involvement in trade, agriculture, food security, or related policy areas
  • Obtain authorization from their institution or supervisor to participate
  • Commit to completing all course components, including assignments and evaluations

Participants who successfully complete all course requirements receive a UNITAR–FAO certificate of completion, recognizing their achievement and strengthened capacity to engage in trade-related policymaking and negotiations.

Impact Stories

To know more about the Impact stories of previous joint UNITAR-FAO training programs, check out the links below:

About the Partnership

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have a long-standing collaboration aimed at expanding access to education and training to strengthen the capacities of stakeholders, with training activities on a wide range of topics being implemented since 2010.

The partnership builds upon the strengths of both institutions by transforming the knowledge and expertise provided by FAO into high-quality learning products and services designed to transfer knowledge, impart skills, raise awareness, and take full advantage of modern information and communication technology (ICT) for greater outreach and cost-effectiveness.

About UNITAR

Established in 1965, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the dedicated training arm of the United Nations. Its mission is to strengthen knowledge and skills through high-quality training, research and innovative learning solutions.

Through strategic partnerships and a global learning platform, UNITAR builds skills of individuals, and enhances capacities of institutions and organizations, particularly those in vulnerable contexts, to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact for the Future.

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