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UNOSAT is the operational satellite applications programme of UNITAR, promoting evidence-based decision making for peace, security and resilience by using geospatial information technologies (GIT). One of UNOSAT’s main strategic objectives is to build and develop capacities of Member States to use earth observation (EO) and GIT. As a part of its capacity development activities, UNOSAT delivered a one-week training entitled “ASEAN Regional Training Course on Geospatial Big Data Applications for Sustainable Development” f...
Over the past several years (2016-2022) UNITAR’s outreach to learners has increased significantly, including participants in learning events containing an objective assessment of learning. However, the proportion of certificates of completion (CoC) issued to these learners has declined. In 2023, the UN Board of Auditors observed this trend and recommended UNITAR to undertake an evaluation to uncover any factors driving completion rates. This evaluation assessed the effectiveness of UNITAR's learning-related programming, focusing on factors driving learner completion an...
Francesco Pisano says: “We are continuing to equip the Programme with what it takes to do this job effectively and professionally. But this is done also to bring a distinct advantage to the entire UN family. After the partnership with Google to share crowd generated data with UNOSAT and the rest of the UN, this is a second main achievement by UNOSAT which will change the way we do things and the overall technology level of the UN. I hope this can be of help to the entire UN”. UNOSAT in fact has added to the purchase order the funds necessary to endow 3 other UN bodies with ...
*Countries for which UNITAR/UNOSAT will have access to Google Map Maker data:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Brunei,Burkina Faso, Burundi,Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde,Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, C...
13 September 2019, Suva, Fiji – Disasters caused by natural hazards and climate change affect about 350 million people on average each year, according to the Global Humanitarian Overview 2019 (UN-OCHA, 2019). The human cost tends to be higher in vulnerable areas of the Pacific SIDS, often due to the limited data available for preparedness and early response actions. To help address this issue in Fiji, UNOSAT and the University of the South Pacific (USP) teamed up for a 3-day mapathon which includes a training of trainers (ToT) workshop, from 26 to 28 August 2019 at the USP ...
24 June 2019, Geneva, Switzerland – In February 2019, the CommonSensing project was officially launched in Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands and the project has now moved forward to Phase 2: Addressing Needs. CommonSensing aims to support three selected Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with improving national climate resilience through the use of satellite remote sensing applications. Bringing together eight organisations with world-leading expertise in satellite remote sensing, sustainable development, business analysis, data analysis and modelling, as we...
11 February 2024, Geneva, Switzerland - A recent study published in Science reveals an inspiring trend: school-age children in the United States are increasingly drawing women when asked to sketch scientists. Over five decades, the percentage of women depicted in these drawings has risen from less than 1% to an estimated 34% by 2016, reflecting a broader shift towards gender inclusivity in science. This transformation aligns with the growing representation of women in scientific fields, marking a positive trajectory towards gender parity.
Amidst this evolving landsca...
The work of UNOSAT is not only about emergencies, although the maps you can see on the web all refer to humanitarian assistance. This publication policy is linked to the need for humanitarian workers to access maps from various field locations by simply connecting via internet or via satellite telecommunications to download the maps prepared by UNOSAT on the premises of CERN. Yet a large number of maps and analyses are not publicly available on the UNOSAT website because they are part of project activities done in partnership with UN agencies like UNDP (development), IOM (m...
13 April 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - Flooding is the most frequent type of disaster, affecting more than 2 billion people in the 20 years between 1998 and 2017 alone. When disaster hits, it is of vital importance to quickly know which areas have been affected in order to assess the potential damage and inform humanitarian relief efforts.
Within the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) supports teams on the ground to assess the impact of floods through its rapid mapping service. How this...
September 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - Stronger cyclones, derailed seasonal floods, large forest fires, rising sea levels…, the climate crisis affects every part of human life and development. It is the most pressing issue to protect vulnerable populations and ensure a safe and sustainable future for all.
Geo-spatial Information Technology (GIT), including satellite imagery analysis and data visualization, can help increase climate resilience as it plays a vital role in understanding the geographic extent and severity of such hazards. The ability of national and ...