13 April 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - When a natural disaster hits, rapid responses are essential to assess the damage quickly and to direct humanitarian relief efforts where they are needed the most. Experts and data scientists from UNITAR-UNOSAT and UN Global Pulse applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) to satellite imagery to quickly map flooded areas and assess the damage that was caused in various operational settings. In this blog, we describe the approach and how we’re using it to inform decision-making on the ground.

8 April 2021, Georgetown, Guyana & Geneva, Switzerland – Between 18 January and 02 February 2021 UNOSAT and CIMA in partnership with UNDP, Guyana delivered a 12-day technical course entitled “Operational Flood Forecasting System”. The course focused on the operational use of the hydrologic/hydraulic models and flood forecasting chain implemented at Hydrometeorological Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana. Due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the training was delivered remotely in a moderated e-learning format.

6 de abril de 2021, Nueva York, Estados Unidos de América - Los equipos del Instituto de las Naciones Unidas para la Formación e Investigación (UNITAR) en Nueva York y Fundación Monge unieron esfuerzos para desarrollar un taller virtual en el marco del Foro Mundial de la Juventud del ECOSOC 2021 que celebra su 10.° aniversario el 7 y 8 de abril de 2021.

6 April 2021, Bangkok, Thailand - UNOSAT delivered an advanced training on the Operational Application of Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands using blended learning formats to ensure maximum engagement of participants despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This training was offered as part of the capacity development activities of the CommonSensing project that aims to improve climate resilience in the Pacific small island states.

31 March 2021, Copenhagen, Denmark - UNITAR-UNOSAT and the University of Copenhagen co-organized and delivered a 3-week Masters level course entitled “Geo-information in disaster situations” from 8 to 26 March 2021. The beneficiaries were fourteen University of Copenhagen students registered in the Master of Disaster Management programme. Instruction during the first week focused on an introduction to remote sensing, data analysis, cartographic modelling and essential software applications and was delivered by the University of Copenhagen.

29-30 March 2021, New York, USA (Virtual) – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York office successfully held the “Leaving No One Behind: Validating ALL Voices of Culture” virtual webinar in partnership with the Global Foundation for the Performing Arts (GFPA). This two-day, two session webinar series not only featured a myriad of leaders and advocates in the art and cultural industries, but also marked the second time of successful collaboration between the UNITAR and the GFPA. Since last year, this fruitful partnership has directly benefitted over 190 participants from countries around the world.

30 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - The BLC and UNITAR presented a joint webinar series, the first of which airing on 22 March 2021, to announce the initiative and ensure that both organizations’ audiences, especially from the Latin American region, may be introduced to further opportunities to advance their skills, networks, and careers.

30 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - From 29th to 30th March 2021, UNITAR, ESCAP, UNDP, and UNDESA teamed up for a virtual training on the Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF), held over 3 half-days. Titled “Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF) and Budgeting for the 2030 Agenda: Financing Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery”, the first day took a deep dive into the INFF building block on integrated financing strategies, including country cases and practical experiences based on DFA findings. The second and the third days focused on the alignment of budgeting processes with nationally determined SDG priorities. 382 participants attended the training sessions, coming from 39 Asia-Pacific and 7 other countries working in national governments, UN and international organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, private sector, and academia.

26 March, 2021, Hiroshima, Japan – UNITAR is delighted to announce the signing of the 7th Special Purpose Grant Agreement (SPG) with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government for FY 2021 to 2023. Since the establishment of UNITAR Hiroshima Office in 2003, the Hiroshima Prefectural Government has continuously supported our implementation of trainings.

26 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR and Franklin University Switzerland (FUS) – a Swiss-American accredited liberal arts University in Lugano, Switzerland – hosted a three-day online hackathon event during the Open Geneva Hackathon Festival.