9 February 2025, Tokyo, Japan – On 9 February 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office, in collaboration with the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, hosted a public event in Tokyo as part of the two-day International Civil Society Forum to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (8-9 February 2025). This year marks 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the event brought together experts, activists and people from various sectors of society to reflect on today’s heightened risk of the use of nuclear weapons. The session underscored the urgency of passing on the lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki and continuing broad-based dialogue and multilateral diplomatic efforts to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

7 February 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The 10th edition of the Geneva Interfaith Dialogue took place at Palais des Nations in Geneva under the theme “The Role of Interfaith Dialogue in Strengthening Cultural Diplomacy.” This year’s event was co-hosted by UNITAR and the Permanent Mission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Nations, aligning with the celebrations of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Over 80 diplomats, religious leaders, and representatives from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds gathered to engage in meaningful discussions about the vital role of interfaith dialogue in promoting global peace and cooperation.

4 February 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – Over 250 Sudanese women and youth completed the first phase of the UNITAR “Rapid Assistance for Sudan: Promoting Socioeconomic Stability through Institutional Capacity and Livelihood Development” training programme on 21 December 2024. The programme launched in August 2024 with funding from the Government and People of Japan and seeks to foster entrepreneurship – particularly agribusiness – as well as digital literacy and climate resilience to address food insecurity and poverty in a country that continues to face escalating humanitarian crises almost two years after conflict erupted.

4 February 2025, Hiroshima, Japan – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) welcomed 17 professionals from Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to Japan for an 8-day workshop as part of the training programme “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Promoting Food Security and Economic Development in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon“. Supported by the Government and People of Japan, the programme aims to empower participants with the skills and knowledge to develop businesses that contribute to sustainable and resilient food systems and economic development.

3 February 2025, Hiroshima, Japan – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) kicked off the 6-day Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation training programme in Hiroshima, with 15 diplomats from 14 Asia-Pacific countries, including countries affected by nuclear tests. The programme seeks to enhance the diplomats’ negotiation skills for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is conducted by UNITAR and the UNITAR Association, with financial support from the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and the City of Hiroshima.

29 January 2025, Hiroshima, Japan - On 21 February, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) will host an in-person and live-streaming event, ”Ways Forward for Ocean Action in the Indo-Pacific”, showcasing the programme’s outcomes and advancing dialogue on actionable solutions to sea and human security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This event marks the culmination of the UNITAR workshop, taking place between 10 and 21 February 2025 in Japan, as part of the Japan-funded “Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security” training programme, The event will be live-streamed on UNITAR Hiroshima’s YouTube channel.

28 January 2025, Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with Rivers State University, has officially launched CIFAL Nigeria, a new addition to the CIFAL Global Network. The Centre is dedicated to capacity-building for public servants, policymakers, and leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to drive sustainable development in Rivers State, Nigeria, and beyond.

22 January 2025, Hiroshima, Japan - As part of the “International Civil Society Forum to Abolish Nuclear Weapons: 80 Years Since the Atomic Bombing,” UNITAR partners with the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (JANA) to host a public event on 9 February 2025. The event will be conducted at the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, in English and Japanese. Prior registration and ticket purchase are necessary for in person attendance. Livestreaming is available for Part I and is free of charge.

21 January 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - Last week, the UN CC:Learn e-learning platform received its 1,000,000th registration. This significant achievement highlights the growing importance of UN CC:Learn as the go-to place for high-quality and up-to-date learning on climate change, green economy and circular economy.

22 January 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – In a landmark step towards promoting sustainable development and global prosperity, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Wolverhampton have formalized their collaboration by signing an agreement to establish the Prosperity Alliance Wolverhampton, a joint sustainability research knowledge exchange center . This partnership aims to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering innovation, driving education and research and supporting economic growth and capacity-building.