15 January 2026, Bangkok, Thailand – Following several successful editions, the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in Bangkok has announced the 2026 edition of the Sustainable Leadership in Crisis training course, which will take place from 12 to 15 May 2026 at the Lancaster Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The four-day, face-to-face course is organised in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), AIT Extension, and the Human Development Forum Foundation (HDFF).

8 January 2026, Hiroshima, Japan – On 19 November 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) concluded the first training phase of its “Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025”. Over 380 learners from Asia and the Pacific completed the 2-month phase, which highlighted the importance of gender-inclusive leadership and introduced them to core disaster risk reduction concepts, key principles of the Sendai Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ecosystem- and community-based approaches to disaster risk reduction, and lessons from Japan’s disaster experiences.

1 January 2026, Geneva, Switzerland — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has been named the new administering organization of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) and host of its Secretariat, marking a new chapter for the global partnership after three decades of coordinated action on chemicals and hazardous waste management and continuing the role played by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1995.

28 December 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to announce a call for applications for the “Pathway to Prosperity: Upskilling Selangor’s Professionals for a Digital Future” course. This free training programme is designed to equip participants with job-ready skills in data centre management and artificial intelligence (AI), supporting employability and career advancement in a rapidly growing digital economy, particularly in Selangor.

22 December 2025, London, United Kingdom - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), through its Division for People and Social Development, has signed an agreement with GEDU Global Education to formally establish the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in London.

22 December 2025, London, United Kingdom - The CIFAL Global Network convened its XXII Annual Steering Committee Meeting from 9 to 11 December 2025 in London, United Kingdom, bringing together more than 70 delegates from over 30 countries, including Directors and Chairpersons representing 32 CIFAL Centres worldwide.

15 December 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to share the inclusion of its public-private Plasma4Life initiative in Takeda’s new report, Access to Medicine 2025, which highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen patient access to essential treatments in emerging markets. The report includes a dedicated section on Plasma4Life entitled, “Planning for patient access through sustainable supply of plasma and plasma-derived therapies.”

11 December 2025, Geneva, Switzerland — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40), will launch the International Digital Economy Governance and Leadership Capacity Building Programme in January 2026 in Beijing. The initiative combines online learning and onsite training to equip senior officials and industry leaders with advanced competencies in digital governance, smart-city transformation, and emerging technologies. All travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered by the programme’s donor.

9 December 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The 7th annual Steering Group Meeting of UN SDG:Learn, hosted by UNITAR, gathered representatives from UN SDG:Learn partner organizations on 13 November 2025 to review 2025 progress and shape the platform’s future ahead of 2030.

8 December 2025, Doha, Qatar - Ms. Malebona Precious Matsoso, former Director General of the National Department of Health of South Africa, has been awarded the Doha Best Negotiator of the Year 2025. She was recognised for her leadership in securing the Pandemic Agreement adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly.