3 June 2026 - Following the roll-out of the digital credentials on the UNCC:Learn platform in January 2026, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is launching its new digital credentialing system, starting with a first set of courses, as part of a phased rollout across its learning portfolio.

29 May 2026, Durban, South Africa- UNITAR and its International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) Durban in collaboration with the eThekwini Transport Authority and Municipal Institute of Learning (MILE) conducted the 2026 Road Safety Conference at the Durban International Convention Centre on 19-20 May 2026. The event brought together 80 government leaders, transport practitioners, law enforcement agencies, academia, development partners, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and advance road safety efforts in South Africa in support of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and the SDG 3 on good health and well-being and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.

29 May 2026, Jeju, Republic of Korea – UNITAR and its International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) Jeju in collaboration with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), as well as its UN Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), UNDRR ONEA and the Global Education and Training Institute (GETI), UNEP and its Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) conducted a two-day virtual workshop titled “Strengthening Whole-of-Society Capacities for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience: Inclusive Governance and Innovative Mechanisms”.

20 May 2026, Baku, Azerbaijan – At the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13), UNITAR’s Global Water Academy (UGWA) and Azerbaijan’s Water and Amelioration Scientific Research Institute (WASRI) co- convened a ONE UN Side Event placing water at the centre of the global conversation on housing and urban resilience. The event titled Water-Smart Cities: Building Urban Resilience through Capacity Development brought together senior government officials, UN leadership, academic institutions, and private sector partners to examine how integrated water systems underpin safe, resilient, and inclusive cities.

19 May 2026, Baku, Azerbaijan - At the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and its CIFAL Global Network convened the Urban CapaCity Lab within the framework of WUF Academy that is launched at WUF13 in Baku. The session brought together municipal officials, urban leaders, academic partners, and CIFAL directors from across the network to examine how capacity development translates global urban agendas into measurable city-level outcomes. This session has been also the kick-off of CIFAL Global Network’s newly developed Urban CapaCity Lab methodology.

22 May 2026, Geneva, Stwizerland - Many of the challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rely on the need to change behaviour - whether it’s transitioning to clean energy, addressing unequal gender and social norms, bridging the formal-informal divide and decreasing the spread of false information. Behavioural science draws upon what we know about human behaviour and decision-making to better diagnose behavioural barriers and enablers to help people achieve their aims.

19 May 2026, Geneva, Switzerland - The UNITAR Global Water Academy (UGWA) co-hosted the African Regional Consultation for the UN Water Conference Academic Hub, co-convened with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, and WaterNet. The consultation gathered academic, governmental, and practitioner stakeholders from across the continent to ensure that African priorities and knowledge are central to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

8 May 2026, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) issued the 2025 Results Report. The report highlights the progress, partnerships and impact achieved throughout the year. Amid rising expectations for a more agile and impactful United Nations, UNITAR continued to strengthen capacities across Member States and among diverse stakeholders worldwide while advancing important institutional milestones, including the adoption of UNITAR’s new four-year Strategic Framework.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a critical role in advancing sustainable development by shaping the knowledge, skills, and mindsets of present and future generations. Developed by UNITAR, UNESCO, and a collective of HEIs, the Leaders in Higher Education Alliance and Programme - for Accelerating Sustainability Transformations (LEAP-FAST) aimed to strengthen this role by fostering a global movement of sustainability leaders in higher education. The initiative comprises four components: a Leadership Dialogue, a Certificate Programme, an SDG Ambassadors' Programme, and Regional and National Spin-offs.

4 May 2026, Atlanta, USA – Large-scale high-profile governmental, cultural, sporting, or entertainment events such as the FIFA World Cup, G20s, Olympics and Paralympics, Super Bowls, Champions League finals attract significant visitors, bring important economic benefits and opportunities for improving urban development, while reducing environmental impact.