10 November 2013, Geneva, Switzerland - International experts agree that Cyclone Haiyan that hit the Philippines on 9 November was "probably the most intense and strongest storm of this type to make landfall". While cyclones of this intensity have occurred before, they usually lose part of their strength by the time they reach shore. Not Haiyan, which swept through six central Philippine islands packing winds of up to 270 Km/h and causing immense damage and probably unprecedented loss of life.

29 October 2013, Geneva, Switzerland - Heavy rainfall since September 2013 has provoked important flooding in Cambodia, affecting especially north-west and south-east provinces. In 20 provinces damage has been extensive. The country has 24 provinces in total. According to national sources 168 people have been killed and almost 145,000 have been evacuated as of this week.

25 October 2013, Geneva, Switzerland - CIFAL Scotland and UNITAR have partnered with Stakeholder Forum to offer a unique e-learning opportunity on the fundamentals of the Post-2015 Development Framework. The course responds to the ongoing international debate around the construction of a new development framework.

10-11 October 2013, New York, U.S.A. - The international community audience in New York is more accustomed to policy debates than to technical talks.

24 September 2013, Skopje, Macedonia - During the 5th Central and Eastern European regional meeting on SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management), UNITAR and OECD held a briefing session on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials in the context of contributing to the outcomes from the 3rd International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-3) held in September 2012.

23 September 2013, Bujumbura, Burundi- UNOSAT and OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) were among several UN agencies participating in a one-day Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and information management workshop organised at the United Nations Office in Bujumbura for the Burundi’s National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

26 September 2013, Accra, Ghana - During the week of 23 September 2013, a number of key milestones were reached in the “GEF/UNITAR/UNDP/EPA-Ghana Project on Capacity Building for the Elimination of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in Ghana”.

UNITAR opens two new e-Learning courses! Apply now!
Drafting and Adopting United Nations Resolutions
21 October - 17 November 2013
4 weeks
Course fee: 600 USD

08 October 2013, Geneva, Switzerland - Established at United Nations Headquarters in early 2013, the UN Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC) produces daily integrated operational reports and briefings, issues alerts in case of major incidents and events, and provide 24/7 telephone connection services to senior leaders.