15 November 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division for Prosperity co-hosted with China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment a side event to the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (11 to 22 November 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan). The COP 29 side event on 11 November, “Public Participation Supporting the Construction of a Beautiful China”, focused on youth and public participation for climate action and was hosted at the China Pavilion. Director Mihoko Kumamoto delivered an opening speech and led a partnership signing.

14 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - On early morning of 24 February 2022, Viktoria Podvoiska saw the very first bombs falling on Kyiv. She immediately gathered all her family and said, “War has started. We must leave”.

11 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – On 11 November 2024, nearly 30 officials and professionals from 11 Pacific small island countries embarked on a study tour in Japan as part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) “Leave No One Behind: Rapid Response to Climate Crises through Early Warning Systems” training programme. Over 12 days, the participants will visit Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kobe, Tokyo, Tsukuba, Kashiwa, and Kasukabe, engaging in expert-led lectures, field visits, and group assignments.

8 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Aiyarat Kosakul is First Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. He works in the Peace Security and Disarmament Division on issues related to weapons of mass destruction and chemical, biological and conventional weapons. He was nominated by his government to join the UNITAR 2024 programme on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in Hiroshima, Japan. The programme provided him a fundamental understanding of nuclear disarmament, allowing him to approach his work with a broader perspective.

8 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - When asked about her personal goal for women in Iraq, Alia Abbas’s answer is prompt and simple: “Make them happy!” Having worked in the public health sector for 31 years, Alia has dedicated her entire career to achieving just that. The UNITAR Gender Equality and Women Empowerment programme taught Alia how to manage her team effectively, which in turn boosted the skills level of her staff.

6 November 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The UNITAR AI Strategy Masterclass “Leading the AI Revolution – Strategy, Innovation, and Global Impact” took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 24-25 October 2024, bringing together 20 global policymakers, high-ranking officials and diplomats from 18 countries. Led by AI expert Mr. Vedant Ahluwalia, the event offered strategic insights on responsibly harnessing AI’s potential to address economic development, disarmament, and social progress.

3 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Hailing from Mexico, Franco Escobar, a research fellow at the Hiroshima Peace Institute and PhD student, is on a mission to document youth involvement in nuclear disarmament.

31 October 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) signed an agreement with Hiroshima University to collaborate on the implementation of the Programme for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development. The agreement was signed by the President of Hiroshima University Dr. Mitsuo Ochi and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR Executive Director Mr. Nikhil Seth. Hiroshima University was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to implement the programme in cooperation with UNITAR. The programme aims to equip junior and mid-level practitioners in peacebuilding and international development.

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.

21 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is running the emergency training programme “Rapid Assistance for Sudan: Promoting Socioeconomic Stability through Institutional Capacity and Livelihood Development”. This initiative aims to address the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises in Sudan by equipping displaced populations with market-relevant skills and promoting entrepreneurship to stimulate economic recovery.