The strengthening of compliance and enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) has been mentioned as one of the key issues on environmental management (Agenda 21). For many developing countries and countries with economies in transition, insufficient capacity in various levels impedes the adequate implementation of MEAs.

In the aftermath of the Cancun climate change negotiations last December, UNITAR is preparing to relaunch its e-learning course on Climate Change Diplomacy, for which applications are already being received and places are being filled-up fast!  The course is due to start on the February 21st and will run for a duration of eight weeks, providing professional training for diplomats, negotiators and other high-level officials prior to the

UNOSAT is continuing its efforts to support UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs as southern Sudan engages in its independence referendum. Acting in consultation with and in support of several agencies including OCHA, WFP, DPKO, UNDP, UNOSAT is delivering high-resolution satellite imagery and analysis over areas of concern to the humanitarian community. This work is carried out in the framework of applied research on monitoring for human security.

On 9 January 2011, the people of southern Sudan will vote in an independence referendum that may see the southern states parting from Sudan and creating an independent state in line with the outcome of 2005 peace accords. The United Nations and the international humanitarian community are concerned over potential referendum-related violence in a region rich on natural resources in a country that has suffered for years from extensive conflict. The result of the referendum could lead to widespread violence and important humanitarian consequences.

With the aim of addressing the growing challenge of money laundering and financing of terrorism, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) will conduct from 31 January to 25 March 2011 a new online course on Combating Money Laundering in partnership with Agence pour la Coopération et le Développement -Banques Populaires (ABPCD).

In advance of the highly anticipated United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 16) that took place in Cancun, Mexico from 28 November -10 December 2010, UNITAR was commissioned by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat to deliver a high-level briefing for the presiding officers who were to chair the various negotiating groups during the Conference.