25 September 2019, New York, USA – Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), Executive Director of United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Mr. Nikhil Seth, was received by the President of the 74th United Nations General Assembly (PGA), His Excellency, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande at the PGA’s office in the United Nations Secretariat, New York. 

Commencing at 9.30 am, Mr. Nikhil Seth accompanied by UNITAR New York Head of Office, Mr. Marco Suazo, congratulated the PGA on his new role at the UNGA and thanked him in recognition of his remarkable efforts and work within the education sector of Nigeria. Also appreciated was Prof. Muhammad-Bande’s presence at the just concluded training ‘Briefing on the 74th Session of the General Assembly and Main Committees” - which was organized by UNITAR with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore to United Nations and Forum of Small States (FOSS).

This bilateral meeting also served as an opportunity to discuss UNITAR’s work in Nigeria through its Port-Harcourt Office. Significantly, UNITAR recognized the representation of Nigeria within UNITAR’s Board of Trustees (BOT) through its present Minister for Transport, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.  

They also deliberated on the ongoing programmes by UNITAR within Nigeria on environmental issues as well as future collaborations to offer training opportunities locally. Pertinently, Mr. Nikhil Seth and the PGA discussed the role of the General Assembly in promoting a UNITAR core pillar - Planet, which aims to “support the conservation, restoration and safeguarding of our planet for present and future generations’.

In conclusion, H.E. Prof. Muhammad-Bande expressed his willingness to continue supporting UNITAR on future training courses