26-27 May, New York, USA, online workshop - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research's (UNITAR) office in New York organized a two-day virtual workshop, “Drafting Skills: Reporting and Communications” held on 26-27 May 2021. The workshop was attended by approximately 170 delegates from developing countries around the world via video conference. To begin, the participants were welcomed by Mr. Pelayo Alvarez of UNITAR. He then introduced the workshop’s facilitator, Mr. Sandy Singer, a Lecturer and Instructor in the UN-LCP English Language Programme and Consultant and Professor in the field of Written and Oral Communication for Business. Mr. Singer outlined the themes of the two-day workshop, which focused on major challenges and best practices for UN writing. This training was supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund, under the programme ‘Leveling The Playing Field’ which focuses on the development of skills and knowledge of Least Developing Countries.

20 May 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR is proud to announce that Professor Paul Arthur Berkman, Associated Fellow, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award to Norway for 2021-22. This award is conferred by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

19 May 2021, New York, United States. - The UNITAR New York office conducted a workshop entitled “The Future of Diplomacy After COVID-19”. After a year like no other, it explored the impact the global pandemic has had on international cooperation and offered perspectives on what the future of multilateralism has in store. The course took place in an online format attracting 190 participants from more than sixty countries.

12 May 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is delighted to announce its innovative partnership with CEU San Pablo (CEU) University of Madrid. The project kickstarting the partnership is the International Professionals Programme (IPP), which holds great significance for its young audience as it aims to bring students closer to a first professional experience with the United Nations.

30 April 2021, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office concluded the Spring Session of one of its flagship programme - Global Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) with a virtual closing ceremony. The UNITAR GDI programme provides a one-of-a-kind training experience to young professionals and students in higher stages of education who are interested in the United Nations (UN) to get a sneak peek into its functioning while also developing technical knowledge and learning from the experience of UN delegates and academicians.

27 April 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - Following the signing of a Letter of Agreement, UNITAR and The Ambassador Partnership joined their efforts to launch the Executive Online Certificate on Dispute Resolution. The innovative online training aims at equipping participants with the necessary negotiation, leadership, and crisis management skills to effectively overcome challenges these times of increased uncertainty.

26 April 2021, New York, United States of America and Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Joint Action Plan to strengthen cooperation in IsDB member countries.

21 April 2021, Abu Dhabi, UAE - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is delighted to announce the signing of a joint agreement between Rabdan Academy, UAE, and UNITAR. The MoU was signed at Rabdan Academy’s campus in Abu Dhabi by Mr. James Morse, President of Rabdan Academy, and Mr. Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR. Both partners stressed the importance of joint training and educational efforts to address the challenges facing the UAE and the wider international community.

20 April 2021, New York, USA – Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of UNITAR, is visiting New York to discuss strategic matters with officials from the United Nations. During his first day, he had a meeting with Mr. Abdel Abdellatif, Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation. The two discussed the cooperation between both offices through the Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) focusing on the use of maps, reports, and data from satellite images to assess the impact of flooding as the most frequent type of disaster. This initiative is to better support and provide technical assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with the cooperation of the Government of India, South Africa, and possibly China.

7-8 April 2021, New York, USA (Virtual) - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) successfully delivered its skills-building workshop “Elections to UN Organs: Workshop for Election Officers” from 7-8 April 2021. With sponsorship by the Swedish contribution under the programme “Levelling the Playing Field”, the two day-long workshop consisted of five sessions. It included UN staff and elections officers with the aim to help delegates better understand the election processes and procedures of various United Nations organs.