17 December 2023, Ankara, Türkiye - the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), signed a shared Vision Statement with members of the Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC) Expert Working Group in Türkiye.

15 Diciembre 2023, Nueva York, USA - La oficina de UNITAR en Nueva York junto con el Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD), y la Asociación de Mujeres Diplomáticas de la República Dominicana (ADIDOM) trabajaron en un curso sobre el Consejo de Derechos Humanos, con sus métodos de trabajo, procesos de negociación multilaterales, y papel en la defensa de los derechos de género. Las sesiones están enfocadas en prácticas actuales del Consejo de Derechos Humanos, casos de estudio y ejercicios dinámicos. Las diplomáticas del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de República Dominicana coincidieron que el taller constituyó una herramienta de aprendizaje en el que se brinda oportunidades de empoderamiento, mentoría, orientación, y sobre todo participación activa de las diplomáticas.

12 December 2023, New York, USA – An evening of musical grandeur unfolded in the New York City landmark, Carnegie Hall, on December 11, 2023, as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research - New York Office (UNITAR-NYO), the President's Office of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, and Carnegie Hall partnered for an extraordinary concert. Titled "In Celebration of the Work of the 78th United Nations General Assembly and PGA H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis: A Concert For Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability - An Annual UN Family Reunion". Under the support of the member states Costa Rica, Ecuador, Singapore, Monaco, and Oman, the event is another successful demonstration of the unity between culture and diplomacy – especially during this complicated time.

12 December 2023, Geneva, Switzerland - Eighteen per cent of structures in the Gaza Strip have been damaged since the outburst of the conflict. This figure comes from a new satellite imagery analysis conducted by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) based on an image collected on 26 November 2023 with the very-high resolution WorldView-3 satellite. Additionally, there has been a staggering 49% increase in total structures affected since the last assessment on 7 November 2023.

12 December 2023, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR successfully concluded a four-day training on Environmental, Social, and Governance Frameworks for Public Officials at the Palais des Nations, bringing together 23 participants from 18 member-states of the Group of 77 and China (G77 + China). The workshop consisted of eight interactive sessions, led by world-class experts, including Ambassadors, university professors and senior UN officials, all working to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to impact ESG integration and sustainable development.

12 December 2023, Abidjan, Ivory Coast – Breastfeeding is linked to many of the Sustainable Development Goals. Breastfeeding is, for example, a critical aspect in achieving SDG2 and SDG3 — which include ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and well-being.

UNITAR has joined the UN Country Team of Mauritius and Seychelles, marking a significant milestone in its partnership with the countries. The signing ceremonies for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) were held on November 6 and October 24, 2023, for Mauritius and Seychelles, respectively. 

Reaching the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda, the newly established Cooperation Framework outlines the collaborative response of the United Nations. This strategic initiative is designed to lend support to Seychelles and Mauritius, addressing their national priorities and paving the way for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future. The framework is centered around the key themes of People, Planet, and Prosperity, and is dedicated to ensuring that No One is Left Behind in the collective pursuit of achieving the SDGs.

8 December 2023, Geneva, Switzerland - To celebrate a milestone of the partnership and to strategize the way forward, UN SDG:Learn partners gathered for a Retreat “Transforming Sustainable Development Learning on the way to the Summit of the Future”. 

7 December 2023, New York, USA – UNITAR-NYO and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched the Women in Cyber Fellowship: Strengthening Capacity Building and Technical Skills for the Open-Ended Working Group. The fellowship brought together women working professionally in a multitude of disciplines that have to do with Cyber issues. Attendees heard from fellow professionals on their experiences navigating international development roles in cyber as women and received comprehensive training on negotiations, capacity building, and international law. The two-day event prepared fellows for the Open-Ended Working Group which was set to take place the following week.

7 December 2023, Hiroshima, Japan – In May 2023, the G7 Summit was held in Hiroshima, Japan, putting the global spotlight on one of UNITAR’s host cities. Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha (atomic bombing survivor), who has been an invaluable contributor to UNITAR Hiroshima Office’s training programmes, reflected on her meetings with the G7 leaders at the Summit.