Historically, the role of women in diplomacy has remained marginal, at best, evidenced by the low- though increasing- rates of women’s participation in senior level positions in the UN system. Among diplomats to the UN, currently, women account for 23 of the 192 permanent representatives and observers to United Nations headquarters in New York. Women’s participation at senior level positions in the UN system also remains dismal.

The European Space Agency (ESA) will host an Earth observation conference during the ILA 2010 Berlin Air and Space Show to present how the space community and other major players, among which the United Nations, are responding to the increasing demand for remote-sensing applications.

The European Union and Developing countries in Asia agree to work together for stronger climate action.

Dr. Jane Goodall, the keynote speaker of the 4th edition of the Geneva Lecture Series that took place on 26 May at the Palais des Nations, urged the current generation to stop borrowing from the future generations and to change its ways before it is too late. Pointing to the sometimes pessimistic attitudes among youth, Dr. Goodall explained, “When I think about how we have harmed the planet since I was their age, I feel this desperation and shame. We have compromised their future. But it’s not true that there’s nothing that can be done about it”.

NEW YORK, 26 May (UNITAR) — Today, the Olof Palme Memorial Fund, Sweden, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) are launching the 2010 Negotiation Training Series “Towards a level playing field”, aimed at enhancing diplomats’ negotiation skills.  With the generous support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, this Series marks the fourth year of collaboration between the Olof Palme Memorial Fund and UNITAR.

In furtherance to the UNITAR/ Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) (www.nddc.gov.ng) partnership and the release of 70% of the pledged counterpart fund for the implementation of the UNITAR/NDDC agreed work plan, a training workshop on Leadership and Management was executed in February, 2010. This pragmatic capacity building workshop aimed at initiating and developing, in Senior Commission Officials, a comprehensive view of the overall people management function and of the leadership role and its responsibilities.

After years of successful research and applications in the area of geospatial information for humanitarian aid and emergency response, UNOSAT has acquired considerable technological and inter-agency knowledge in this complex and often misunderstood activity field.