25 April 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - A side event “New approaches to ensure needs based and sustainable statistical training” held before the opening of the 56th session of the UN Statistical Commission has been an opportunity to discuss the work of the Global Network of Institutions for Statistical Training (GIST) in supporting National Statistical Offices to adopt country-owned, innovative and sustainable approaches to capacity-building. Four countries have shared their experiences, including Kenya, Morocco, Seychelles that used the STAT tool developed by GIST in 2024, and Ghana that was among the first pilot countries of the STAT process together with Colombia in 2023. This exchange has demonstrated the usefulness of the methodology developed by GIST that empowers NSOs to adopt more strategic approaches to developing their capacities.

25 April 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR and UNESCO, in collaboration with a group of universities, have launched a new initiative “Leaders in Higher Education Alliance and Programme – For Accelerating Sustainability Transformations” (LEAP-FAST) aimed at creating a movement of committed sustainability leaders in higher education to advance deep transformations and enable HEIs to fulfil their potential with regards to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the key components of the initiative is the LEAP-FAST Certificate Programme, which officially launched on 23 March 2025 in academic partnership with Majmaah University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

24 March 2025, New York, USA – On March 24, 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research office in New York, in collaboration with the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, hosted a briefing for delegates on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. The session provided an overview of the legal frameworks governing ocean governance, with a focus on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its related agreements. A total of 85 participants attended the event in person, underscoring the continued interest and importance of ocean governance in multilateral diplomacy.

8 March 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - On this International Women’s Day, I am pleased to announce that I joined the International Gender Champions. Today, we must all answer the call to action to achieve a future where the rights, equality, and empowerment of all women and girls are fully realized. The theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment., serves as a powerful reminder that gender equality is not just a goal—it is a necessity.

22 February 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to announce that Michelle Gyles-McDonnough has officially assumed office as its new Executive Director. She succeeds Nikhil Seth of India, whose mandate concluded on 31 January 2025.

16 December 2024, New York, USA - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Michelle Gyles-McDonnough of Jamaica as the new Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). She will officially assume her duties on 22 February 2025, succeeding Nikhil Seth of India, to whom the Secretary-General expressed profound gratitude for his dedication and contributions to the United Nations.

24 October 2024, In September, Member States came together to adopt a visionary Pact for the Future aimed at aligning international efforts with contemporary realities and future challenges. Today, on UN Day, the six research and training institutes of the United Nations reaffirm their commitment to supporting the Pact of the Future through specialized knowledge, learning, research and training for the UN system – benefitting the world as a whole.

18 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland. UNIDO, UNITAR and SDSN with support from DLA Piper are organizing a side event “Capabilities 4 the Future Hub” at UNIDO Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum 2024 (MIFP) on 23 October 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The side event will convene the main Champions of the Capabilities 4 the Future Hub and explore how the Hub can offer a space for government agencies, private sector and educational and training institutions to prepare and manage these transitions through participatory dialogue and learning strategies at global, sectoral and national levels enabling them to innovate and create the highest joint returns to prosperity, society and environment for those who participate in inclusive and sustainable Global Value Chains.

03 October 2024, New York, United States – On 02 October 2024, the 2024 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) training series, organized by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office, concluded with the fourth and final module at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This series, entitled “Accelerating Action for the Sustainable Development Goals,” aimed to prepare delegates for the General Assembly’s Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System. Here, we detail the objectives, key topics, and speakers involved in Module 4 of the 2024 QCPR Training Series.

30 September 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) has released the 9th update of its assessment of the damage inflicted on buildings in the Gaza Strip. This analysis, based on very high-resolution satellite imagery collected on 3 and 6 September 2024, shows that two thirds of the total structures in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage.