8 July 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to announce the launch of its Climate Change Diplomacy: Advanced Negotiation Skills and Strategies online course. Applications are now open for this fully online programme, which will run from 15 September to 12 October 2025, with a registration deadline of 15 September. Delivered in English for a fee of 600 USD, the course offers flexible access for participants worldwide who wish to strengthen their understanding of international climate change negotiations and build practical negotiation skills.

Climate change negotiations represent a crucial dimension of 21st-century diplomacy and global governance. As negotiations grow more complex, with diverse stakeholders, competing national interests, and evolving scientific findings, there is an urgent need for practical knowledge and skills. Many negotiators face challenges navigating these processes, especially ahead of major events such as the Conference of the Parties (COPs).

This course is designed to build participants’ understanding of the international climate change negotiation process under the UNFCCC and related frameworks. Combining theoretical modules with practical exercises, it prepares participants for real-world negotiation environments by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and practice needed to negotiate effectively. The curriculum covers the foundations of multilateral climate regimes, institutional arrangements, decision-making processes, and targeted negotiation practice sessions focused on informal and formal groups, with exercises addressing nationally determined contributions, just transition, human rights, and Indigenous Peoples.

By the end of the course, participants should be able to explain the key milestones of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement; appraise the political, legal, and institutional foundations of international climate negotiations; describe the structure and dynamics of COP processes; apply effective negotiation strategies; and deliver compelling interventions.

The programme is intended for government officials, diplomats, staff from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, youth representatives, civil society actors, professionals in climate advocacy, and students or early-career specialists with an interest in climate policy and diplomacy. This course can also be taken as part of UNITAR’s Online Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy, enabling participants to combine it with other e-learning courses for a comprehensive, stackable learning experience.

For more information or to register, please contact: mdp-elearning@unitar.org.