Marking International E‑waste Day 2025, UNITAR and its partners highlight new findings showing that Europe’s discarded electronics contain around one million tonnes of critical raw materials (CRMs) such as copper, aluminium, palladium, and rare earth elements each year.

In 2022, Europe generated 10.7 million tonnes of e‑waste, with only 54 per cent managed through compliant systems. By 2050, the amount of valuable materials could rise to 1.9 million tonnes, and with improved design, collection, and recycling, up to 1.5 million tonnes could be recovered annually.

Experts including Dr Kees Baldé (UNITAR -SCYCLE), Jessika Roswall (European Commission), and Pascal Leroy (WEEE Forum) emphasise that e‑waste is not simply waste but a strategic resource that can strengthen Europe’s economy, reduce dependency, and create green jobs if managed within a circular economy.

15 July 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR and the NDC Partnership joined forces to organize the Facilitators Exchanges, a series of workshops for NDC In-Country Facilitators to support them in co-creating solutions for key NDC implementation challenges.

4 July 2025 - Geneva, Switzerland - The new Climate 101, inspired by UNDP’s Climate Dictionary, is now available with 27 key climate change terms, from mitigation and adaptation to carbon markets and a just transition. Read on to find out more about this fun and interactive resource.

2 July 2025, Bonn, Germany - UN CC:Learn was present at this year’s UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025 (SB62) to engage with key stakeholders in the climate change space and take part in ACE-related activities.

30 June 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - UN CC: Learn has reached a major milestone—500,000 certificates of completion issued to learners worldwide! This achievement reflects the growing global commitment to climate education and action. Keep reading to learn more about this milestone and its impact!

30 June 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - GEMS Legacy School in Dubai has been ranked the 1st green school in the UAE, proving that climate action and quality education go hand in hand. Under Ms. Asha Alexander’s leadership, students gain climate literacy through UN CC:Learn courses, turning knowledge into measurable action. Learn how this school is inspiring the next generation of climate leaders.

25 June 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - The impacts of climate change are being felt across every aspect of society, and the world of sports is no exception. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are disrupting training schedules, damaging infrastructure, and affecting athletes’ performance. At the same time, the sports sector itself contributes approximately 1% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. With its broad appeal and influence, sport holds unique potential to lead by example and mobilize collective action for the planet.

Electrical and electronic equipment have revolutionized how we live, work, and communicate, and are today integrated into our daily lives. However, as this equipment reaches the end of its life cycle, e-waste generation is inevitable. Recognizing the need to address e-waste generation and recyclability, UNITAR Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme and Microsoft joined forces to tackle this issue. The collaboration, rooted in a shared vision for sustainability, has yielded tangible results.

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.

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.