3 April 2020, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office transferred the classroom training component of UNITAR in the Headquarters to online and video conference. UNITAR has adapted its Columbia Law School Training , its first module for "Realizing the Future We Want: Training Series in preparation for the General Assembly’s 2020 quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities, and our regular Global Diplomacy Initiative (UGDI) Programme for the Spring Session to classes following the 11 March 2020 assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) that COVID-19 was a pandemic.

23 March 2020, Geneva, Switzerland – Following the signature of a partnership agreement on March 3rd 2020, UNITAR is pleased to launch the first edition of the Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy in Lebanon with ESA Business School.

4 March 2020, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Office in New York, in collaboration with Columbia Law School, hosted the first lecture of a three-part series with Columbia Law School on Leadership & Self-Awareness. This activity is supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund and hosted at the United Nations Headquarters.

3 March 2020, New York, USA – During the first two days of the work visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York of the Executive Director of UNITAR, Mr. Nikhil Seth, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research completed several meetings with United Nations High Level Officials and Ambassadors. The visit is taking place from the 2nd to the 6th of March. After a coordination meeting at UNITAR New York Office, with a brainstorming on the future of training and an introduction by the new office members, Mr. Seth met with the Under Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo. Mr. Seth invited Ms. DiCarlo to the USG and RSGs/SESGs to the 2020 Special and Personal Representatives and Envoys of the Secretary-General (SRSGs) on 4-6 June 2020. In addition, they discussed the organization of a series of briefing sessions in which the Department for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs can be involved and develop a program that aimed the diplomatic community in New York

Humankind is indisputably entering a new digital era. The impact of rapid technological and scientific advances on our lives is so great that World Economic Forum’s founder Klaus Schwab termed this process as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We are the witnesses of the transcendence through new frontiers.

25 - 27 February, New York, USA - UNITAR coordinated the Core Diplomatic Training for the Bureau of the G77 Permanent Mission of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations which began Tuesday 25 February 2020 and concluded Thursday 27 February. The Guyana mission is preparing for the upcoming chairmanship of the G77. To begin, the participants and facilitators were welcomed by Mr. Neil Pierre, Chief of the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch in the Financing for Sustainable Development Office. He then invited Ambassador Marco Suazo, head of the UNITAR New York office, to deliver remarks. Ambassador Suazo outlined the structure of the training and encouraged active participation and interaction among the participants. The participants then introduced themselves to their colleagues and upon conclusion, H.E. Dr. David O’Connor, Permanent Observer of IUCN to the United Nations began his briefing on the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.

After the recent easing of COVID-19-related restrictions in Switzerland, UNITAR is delighted to offer a five-day training programme in Geneva specifically designed for the high school and university students. It will offer participants the chance to gain first-hand experience of the United Nations and will provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to fully unfold their potential as global leaders.

13 February 2020, New York, USA – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office welcomed the fourth class of its UNITAR Global Diplomacy Initiative (UGDI), a program dedicated to providing a unique, intimate training experience targeted at students in higher education who study politics, international relations, urban affairs, or related fields. This year’s participants come from diverse backgrounds and represent academia and professional fields. In the UGDI, they will learn from the connections and experience of UN delegates and academics alike.

10 February 2020, New York, USA – This year, UNITAR Office in New York, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland, and the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNDESA) will present 5-module “Realizing the Future We Want – Training series in preparation for the General Assembly’s 2020 quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR) of the operational activities for development of the United Nations system” from March to September 2020.

5-7 February 2020, New York, U.S.A – The United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office, organized Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship sponsored by the Australian Government. This three day training was hosted in the United Nations Headquarters in Conference Room E.