We are stuck in response mode. But what good is an ambulance without a hospital?
Climate shocks are intensifying. Conflict is at record levels. Economies are fragile. Humanitarian appeals grow larger each year, while donor countries prioritise domestic and security concerns. One emergency follows another. Recovery slips further out of reach.

13 March 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to announce a call for applications for the “Pathway to Prosperity: Upskilling Selangor’s Professionals for a Digital Future” course. This free training programme is designed to equip participants with job-ready skills in data centre management and artificial intelligence (AI), supporting employability and career advancement in a rapidly growing digital economy, particularly in Selangor.

20 March 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Surrey have established a new collaboration to offer traineeship opportunities for Surrey students at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The programme will be formally launched on 20 March 2026, marking the United Nations International Day of Happiness, when applications will open to students from the University's Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES).

12 March 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – The Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life (SM4A4L) Initiative is a joint effort of UNITAR, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and FIA Foundation aimed at advancing road safety globally. The 1st edition of SM4A4L has been successfully implemented in Latin America and the 2nd edition for the Asia-Pacific region is currently being delivered with participants from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Uzbekistan.

13 March 2026, Markham, Canada - York Region, York Regional Police and York University hosted the Gateways to Pathways: Talent and Industry Forum at York University’s Markham Campus, in collaboration with UNITAR and CIFAL York. The event brought together job seekers, employers, industry leaders and community partners for a full day of learning, dialogue and collaboration aimed at strengthening inclusive economic development and workforce readiness across the region.

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, has launched a new online part-time MSc in Sustainable Global Futures aimed at strengthening professionals’ capacities to address complex global sustainability challenges.

The programme focuses on developing interdisciplinary skills aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including policy analysis, strategic foresight, data-informed decision-making and multi-stakeholder collaboration. It combines academic research with practical insights from United Nations practitioners in areas such as climate action, global health, gender equality and energy policy.

Designed for working professionals, the course offers flexible learning and culminates in an applied final project addressing sustainability priorities at local, national or global levels. The initiative reflects UNITAR’s broader commitment to capacity-building and multilateral cooperation in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

12 March 2026, Hiroshima, Japan - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) invites gender practitioners and professionals working in civil society organizations across the Middle East and North Africa region to apply to join the sixth cycle of the Gender Empowerment Now! programme. Through training of trainers and implementation of community-level workshops, programme participants with gain practical skills to design and facilitate participatory trainings, promote gender mainstreaming and cascade knowledge within their organizations and communities.

11 March 2026, Apia, Samoa – On 9 March, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) welcomed 12 emerging leaders from six countries across the Pacific Islands to a regional workshop in Apia for the “Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025” training programme. Running from 9 to 12 March, this four-day workshop is the final phase of the training programme.

10 March 2026, New York/Geneva – When crises hit, the first 48 hours can determine how quickly communities recover. Which areas get help first, which roads and hospitals reopen, and how services are restored all depend on accurate, early data. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Satellite Centre, hosted at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), deliver that critical information within just two days.

The strengthened collaboration underscores a shared commitment to equipping young leaders with the competencies required to engage effectively in multilateral processes.