26 March 2025 Hiroshima, Japan – Manchulika Wongchai, Third Secretary of the Peace, Security and Disarmament Division of the Department of International Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, was one of the 15 participants of the UNITAR Hiroshima Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training Programme held in February 2025.

26 March 2025 Hiroshima, Japan – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) introduces a series of policy briefs on Sea and Human Security in the Indo-Pacific. The briefs were produced through the 2024 UNITAR Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security Training Programme and represent the collaborative efforts of the programme participants, including government officials, NGO representatives, academics, and private-sector stakeholders from across the Indo-Pacific region. Through introducing these policy briefs, UNITAR aims to amplify the voices of emerging leaders in the region.

24 March 2025 Hiroshima, Japan – Nathalie Fakher Eddine is a Lebanese entrepreneur with a background in public health, humanitarian relief and disaster management operations. She co-founded a social dining platform that connects home cooks with locals and tourists, allowing visitors to experience authentic Lebanese cuisine through home-cooked meals. Through the platform, she aims to improve the lives of women and families with low incomes while preserving Lebanon’s rich culinary heritage.

13 June 2025, Hiroshima, Japan – Koto Kajihara, a high school student in Hiroshima, is a passionate young advocate for peace. She is one of the 26 young changemakers who completed the 2024 Youth Ambassador Asia-Pacific programme.

11 March 2025, Geneva - UNITAR, Chengdu United Prosperity Technology Co., Ltd., and the Chengdu Cultural Industry Chamber of Commerce signed a Letter of Agreement on 7 March 2025 to launch the Prosperity Alliance Chengdu. The new Chengdu centre joins other UNITAR Prosperity Alliance centres that aim to drive sustainable economic development through strategic partnerships, capacity-building programmes and innovative solutions.

8 March 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - On this International Women’s Day, I am pleased to announce that I joined the International Gender Champions. Today, we must all answer the call to action to achieve a future where the rights, equality, and empowerment of all women and girls are fully realized. The theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment., serves as a powerful reminder that gender equality is not just a goal—it is a necessity.

7 March Nadi, Fiji – On 7 March 2025, the UNITAR “Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme 2024” concluded with the end of a five-day intensive workshop in Fiji. The workshop brought together 17 professionals from 11 Pacific Island and Asian countries, committed to advancing women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and strengthening disaster resilience in their communities. They were selected from over 130 participants who completed the first phase of the programme.

The Developing Essential Digital Skills for Women and Youth in Africa, aimed to equip participants with critical digital, entrepreneurial, and professional skills to enhance employability and economic resilience. Supported by the Government of Japan and technical partners IBM and Microsoft East Africa, the initiative attracted over 7,000 participants from 24 African countries, with 70% being women and 92% under 35 years old. The three-phase programme combined foundational training, hackathons, and leadership development, enabling many participants to apply their knowledge in professional settings and entrepreneurial ventures. A follow-up survey revealed that 83% of participants utilized their newly acquired skills, with significant impacts on business growth, workplace efficiency, and project development. While the programme was well received, participants suggested improvements in engagement, certification processes, and access to networking opportunities.

25 February 2025, Geneva - Destina Mensah wants to bring good nutrition to more people while preserving Ghana’s rich culinary heritage. Inspired by Tom Brown, a traditional breakfast meal cherished in Ghana, Destina launched a business that provides healthy food options and bridges the gap between modern living and cultural identity. A 2023 UNITAR digital skills and entrepreneurship programme helped her define her vision and bring her idea to life.

22 February 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to announce that Michelle Gyles-McDonnough has officially assumed office as its new Executive Director. She succeeds Nikhil Seth of India, whose mandate concluded on 31 January 2025.