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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...
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...
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...
24 July 2025, Paris, France - On 12 July 2025, the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) took part in the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. In collaboration with the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), UNOSAT co-hosted a thematic session titled: Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development of World Heritage Sites. This collaboration was part of a broader effort to promote the use of digital tools and geospatial technologies in support of UNESCO’s mission to safeguard World He...
8 April 2024, Geneva, Switzerland. Together with several SIDS countries, UN and regional organizations, UNITAR will welcome SIDS4 conference participants on the occasion of a multi-stakeholder side event highlighting the role of evidence, data and satellite technology for resilient futures in SIDS.
The event will take place on 27 May 2024 from 12:00 to 13:30 AST in Room 6 of the Conference Venue and will provide space for sharing country experiences around one of the five main themes of the Conference: "Leveraging Data and Digital Technologies and Building Effective Instit...
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 ...
6 April 2021, Bangkok, Thailand – UNOSAT delivered an advanced training on the Operational Application of Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands using blended learning formats to ensure maximum engagement of participants despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic. This training was offered as part of the capacity development activities of the CommonSensing* project that aims to improve climate resilience in the Pacific small island states.
The GIT4DRR course was designed to respond to the proje...
22 March 2024, Suva, Fiji - A Climate Finance Write-Shop held from 5 to 7 March in Suva, Fiji, empowered representatives from Pacific Island nations to secure vital climate finance for their communities. This collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), the Pacific Community (SPC), and UNOSAT, addressed a critical need for Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) facing the brunt of climate change., Limited fiscal resources pose a significant challenge for Pacific leaders striving to implement climate change mitigation and a...