8 July 2026, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in Shanghai (CIFAL Shanghai), welcomed a delegation of students from schools partnered with CIFAL Shanghai to Geneva for the 2026 UN Sustainable Development Goals Youth Empowerment Seminar for Change-Makers. The two-day seminar provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the United Nations, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the role of youth in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Through a combination of expert lectures, interactive discussions and student presentations, the programme encouraged participants to reflect on global challenges, explore practical ways to contribute to sustainable development, and enhance key leadership and communication skills needed to drive positive change in their communities.

25–26 June 2026, Curitiba, Brazil — Over the course of two days, the Campus da Indústria in Curitiba welcomed nearly 150 students from across the state of Paraná for SESIMUN 2026, a Model United Nations simulation organized by SESI School with the support of CIFAL Curitiba and the International Cooperation Office of Sistema Fiep. The event transformed the campus into a vibrant space for diplomacy, debate, and global citizenship, offering many participants their first opportunity to engage with international relations. For all of them, it was a meaningful learning experience that will help shape how they understand and address global challenges in the years ahead.

9 July 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured cooperative framework aimed at supporting the professional development of postal sector stakeholders, including governments, and national postal operators across UN Member States.

2 July 2026, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has launched the Green Helmets Programme in Lima, Peru, through a partnership with Lima Pedagogical School (EPL Holding) and Santander University, advancing efforts to promote environmental leadership, climate action, and sustainable development.

This new collaboration aims to empower a new generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to address today’s environmental challenges and advance nature-positive solutions.

The agreement was formalized by Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

23 June 2026, Quito, Ecuador - UNITAR highlighted the role of environmental education and youth leadership in advancing climate action through its Green Helmets Programme at the 2026 Sustainability Summit held in Ecuador.

22 June 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR in collaboration with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Economic Commission for Western Asia (UN ECWA) led the AI, BeSci and Digital Systems Expo in the framework of the 8th annual UN Behavioural Science (BeSci) Week from 1 June–5 June, 2026.

22 June 2026, Geneva, Switzerland - The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be convened from 7 to 15 July 2026, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). UNITAR will convene leaders, policymakers, academia, UN partners, local authorities and practitioners to explore practical solutions for accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a series of high-level events and strategic dialogues, UNITAR will showcase innovative approaches to capacity development, knowledge sharing and multi-stakeholder partnerships that support sustainable, inclusive and resilient development worldwide.

19 June 2026 , Kigali, Rwanda - UNITAR and the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative have renewed their cooperation agreement, reinforcing a partnership that has positioned Rwanda as one of the African continent's most dynamic platforms for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. The renewal consolidates and expands the centre's mandate at a moment when its profile within the CIFAL Global Network continues to grow.

15 June 2026, Johannesburg, South Africa – UNITAR and its International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) Durban in collaboration with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the Durban Metro Police Service (DMPS) and the eThekwini Municipal Institute of Learning (MILE) delivered a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for 50 senior JMPD officials in the Tracing Unit, Training Division, Community Outreach Unit, and Road Safety Unit aiming to advance road safety initiatives and promote responsible driving behaviour across the City of Johannesburg.

11 June 2026, Banjul, The Gambia - UNITAR and the University of the Gambia have renewed their cooperation agreement, reaffirming their shared commitment to capacity building, sustainable development, and human capital formation across The Gambia and the wider West-African region. The renewal signals a deliberate broadening of the centre's programmatic ambitions for the years ahead.