2 December 2022, New York, United States - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) office in New York launched its training series for the Malta delegation in preparation for their membership at the United Nations Security Council which was attended by more than 45 delegates from the capital and the mission in New York, in person and virtually.

December 2022, New York, USA - For this year’s final external newsletter addition, the topic Key Takeaways from the COP27 - How UNITAR is contributing to preparing new leaders for the future, allowed us to reflect on how our work in New York throughout this year has left a footprint on the battle with climate change. COP 27, the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference, was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this year. As a representative of the training arm of the UN Community in New York, the UNITAR worked hard this year to insure that our work paralleled the subjects addressed at COP27 to give the necessary tools and skills to our partners and beneficiaries to help protect our environment and build a safer future for the generations to come.

As UNITAR contributes to the implementation of the SDGs, a delegation participated at the COP27 to organize side events, workshops, and bi-lateral meetings to bring attention on the ‘leave no one behind’ principles in climate action and sustainable energy. The impact of climate change on displaced populations is rarely brought up in climate negotiation agenda. Therefore, UNITAR’s Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (GPA) made efforts to raise awareness of humanitarian energy in the climate action discussions. This included ensuring that the displaced people were physically present at the conversations and their voices were heard. Through active participation of the GPA and displaced communities, UNITAR invited the governments to include displaced people into the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Policies (NAPs), and energy policies.

Over the past months, UNITAR has been supporting UN Statistics Division (UNSD) in developing an e-version of the Handbook on Management and Organization of National Statistical Systems. It is launched now and available on UNSD's website.

UN SDG:Learn is featuring a new tool “Changemaker Scan” developed by Ubiquity University. It is a self-appraisal for you to build your changemaker profile in 8 SDG cross-cutting competencies defined by UNESCO! Go to your dashboard to try it now or register on the platform here: www.unsdglearn.org/register

28 November 2022, Hiroshima, Japan – In early November 2022, Green Legacy Hiroshima Initiative (GLH) welcomed five plant scientists and botanic garden experts from renowned institutions in the United States to observe and study hibakujumoku, trees that survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing. The delegation consisted of Ari Novy, President and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Garden, Todd Michael and Wolfgang Busch, lead plant scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Nicole Cavender, director of the Huntington Botanical Gardens, and Philip Douglas, director of global initiatives at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

November 2022, Hiroshima, Japan – “My dream is to set up a real pharmaceutical industry in Africa.” Aissata Koné was a participant in the 2021 UNITAR programme on digital skills for youth in the Sahel region. While studying with UNITAR, she understood the importance of digital skills in today’s world.

November 2022, Hiroshima, Japan – The challenges of running a business can discourage many potential entrepreneurs. However, some people rise to the challenge. In the town of Thika in Kiambu County, Kenya, Angeline Mueni Mutuku started her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seizing opportunities and gaining skills, Angeline continues to grow her business.

22 November 2022, Djibouti, Djibouti/Hiroshima, Japan - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretariat, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and with the financial support from the Government of Canada, is rolling out the Online Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Training Programme for Women and Girls in the IGAD region.

18 November 2022, Lima, Peru – UNITAR and the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SGCAN) signed an Interinstitutional Agreement to collaborate in the development, implementation and maintenance of a regional dashboard that will include relevant road safety statistics for CAN Member States.