30 May 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research, in partnership with the ADN Group, are proud to have bestowed the ‘Doha Best Negotiator of the Year 2024’ award to Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, at the Doha World Negotiation Day Award Ceremony held today in Geneva, Switzerland.

5 May 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - We're pleased to announce that UNITAR has officially joined the Villars Institute and the Global Learning Council as a co-founder of the Global Learning Conference — a powerful partnership united by a shared mission to shape the future of education and lifelong learning.

13 May 2025, Geneva, Switzerland — On 7 May 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva and the International Law Association (GCC Branch), hosted a High-Level Dialogue on Justice and Capacity-Building in International Law this week at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The event brought together diplomats, legal scholars, and practitioners from around the world to examine how Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can strengthen their legal capacity to engage with and shape international legal processes. Discussions focused on redefining legal empowerment beyond technical training, emphasizing long-term strategic engagement, litigation readiness, and legal diplomacy as essential tools for states to assert their interests and advance justice.

The Pura Vida NFT Collection, developed under the UNITAR–UPEACE Art for Peace initiative, reflects a creative and strategic use of digital innovation to address global inequality in education. Through the sale of 5,000 unique NFT artworks by Costa Rican artist Gussa, the project supports a fellowship programme for candidates from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, enabling access to graduate education in peace, development, and international law.

5 May 2025, New York, United States — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office, in collaboration with the International Academy for Arts and Cultural Studies (IAA), convened the Global Industry Joint Development Forum on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Under the theme “Global Industrial Collaboration and Innovation Amidst Change”, the Forum served as an important platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, bringing together senior officials, leading scholars, and private sector representatives to advance discourse on sustainable industrial development, innovation, and international cooperation in a rapidly evolving global environment.

2 May, 2025, New York -- On May 1, 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Office in New York organized a dedicated workshop for election officers, welcoming over 70 participants from Member States and UN departments. The session aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the rules, procedures, and digital tools related to elections conducted within the UN system.

2 May 2025, New York, USA — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research Office in New York, in collaboration with Columbia Law School, successfully concluded the Spring 2025 Mediation Skills Training Series at United Nations Headquarters. Led by Professor Alexandra Carter, Director of Columbia Law School’s Mediation Clinic, alongside her students from the Clinic, the three-part series provided delegates with practical training in mediation and conflict resolution, tailored for multilateral diplomacy and international negotiation.

22 April 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research is joining forces with the International Canoe Federation (ICF) to support the growing demand for global emergency response capabilities and promote sustainable development.

10 April 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Sovereign Order of Malta successfully hosted a Human Rights Council side event titled, "After 25 Years of the Palermo Protocol – The Need for Real Action".

Focusing on strengthening global efforts to combat human trafficking through capacity-building and training, the event brought together a plethora of experts in the field, encouraging rich dialogue and raising awareness of the remaining pitfalls in current methods following the General Assembly Resolution 55/25 in 2000. Featuring keynote addresses and panel discussions with leading policymakers, diplomats, and experts, the event emphasised the imperative need for innovative solutions and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

24 March 2025, New York, USA – On March 24, 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research office in New York, in collaboration with the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, hosted a briefing for delegates on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. The session provided an overview of the legal frameworks governing ocean governance, with a focus on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its related agreements. A total of 85 participants attended the event in person, underscoring the continued interest and importance of ocean governance in multilateral diplomacy.