29 November 2019, Geneva, Switzerland - The Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) concluded its Sixtieth Session, which convened from 28 to 29 November 2019. Key decisions of the session include adoption of the $88 million programme budget for 2020-2021 and the integration into UNITAR of The Defeat-NCD Partnership with a biennial budget of $31 million. The Board encouraged UNITAR to build on The Defeat-NCD Partnership model to consider the eventual integration of other initiatives, such as Global Road Safety Partnership. The Board also welcomed the planned opening of the UNITAR Office in Bonn, Germany, and the integration of the Sustainable Cycles Programme from the United Nations University, which brings together global researchers on e-waste management and the circular economy.

The Board welcomed progress against the implementation of the 2018-2021 strategic framework and the Strategic Framework Fund, which is a softy-earmarked pooled funding instrument designed to support programming targeting countries in special situations. The Board expressed its gratitude to the State of Qatar, the Swedish International Development Agency and the World Family Organization for contributions to the Fund to date.

The Board expressed its appreciation to outgoing Chair Her Excellency Ms. Taous Feroukhi and Vice Chair His Excellency Mr. Thomas Fitschen, and elected His Excellency Mr. Luis Gallegos, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York as the incoming Chair, and Ms. Diana Chavez, from Mexico, as the incoming Vice Chair.

The Sixty-First Session will convene in Curitiba, Brazil from 4 to 5 November 2020 at the invitation of the World Family Organization and the State of Paraná, Brazil.