17 September 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - The COVID-19 outbreak that began in late 2019 evolved rapidly and globally. The pandemic, and subsequent policy and security measures taken in response, impacted the administration of justice in every legal system around the globe. One of the greatest impacts is that lockdown measures and social distancing have rendered in-person hearings challenging or impossible. The disruption to conducting hearings and other judicial proceedings has the potential to significantly undermine access to justice, due process, and civil and human rights.

16 September 2020, New York, USA, Video Conferences - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research New York Office (UNITAR NYO) rolled out its “Foundations of UN Writing” course on 16 September. This training is designed to prepare the diplomatic staff of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations with the necessary knowledge of guidelines and best practices for writing while performing their duties at the United Nations.

September 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - Last August, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) signed a partnership agreement with the Division for Peace of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to review and enhance the curriculum WPDI uses to train their Youth Peacemakers to become leaders and trainers. Building on the wide expertise and experience of UNITAR in providing innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations, and institutions to support global and local action for lasting peace and sustainable development, this collaboration will increase the capacity of WPDI Peacemakers to disseminate knowledge and skills in vulnerable and conflict-affected communities, notably in South Sudan, South Africa, and Uganda.

10 September 2020, New York, USA, Zoom Conferences - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office (NYO), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore to the United Nations as Chair of the Forum of Small States (FOSS), successfully opened its two-day course entitled “Briefing New Delegates on the Work of the 75th General Assembly”. The session opened with more than 250 delegates present on the online conference.

14 September 2020, New York, USA, Video Conferences - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office (NYO) successfully launched its course “Strengthening Knowledge and Skills in Multilateral Diplomacy: Induction Course for Qatari Diplomats” on 14 September. The training will last through 18 September and is a comprehensive course designed to enhance the performance of the diplomatic staff from the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations. The Qatari delegation also attended the “Briefing on the Work of the 75th General Assembly and the Main Committees” facilitated by UNITAR NYO from 10-11 September.

1- 2 September, New York USA, virtual seminar – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Office in New York successfully launched the Joint Swiss-UNITAR Briefing on United Nations Budgetary Matters training series on Tuesday, 1 September 2020. The four-day virtual training programme caters for the needs of the incoming delegates of the United Nations General Assembly Fifth Committee. The first two sessions have directly benefited more than 120 delegates each session from numerous Member States.

31 August 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - Over the summer, UNOSAT introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based method in its operational emergency mapping service. By reducing the process to a fraction of the time normally needed. ”This fully automated processing method is a game changer for humanitarian rapid mapping operations and a great tool for national disaster management authorities”, Einar Bjørgo, Director, UNOSAT.

In an interview, Mr. Li Yong, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), discusses how targeted green industrial policies and investments in green industries can lead to the structural changes necessary to recover from COVID-19.

7 August, Geneva, Switzerland - The Division for Peace of UNITAR is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Paris School of Advanced International and Political Studies (Hautes Études Internationales et Politiques – HEIP Paris). The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding outlines the scope of future collaboration that will include the establishment of a Master's degree and a research centre in various thematic areas such as conflict prevention, peace development and the rule of law, in Paris and North Africa.

Although these have been difficult times for the city, the UNITAR New York Office has been able to successfully transition all our meetings, trainings, and conferences to a virtual format. In fact, thanks to the added capacity of webinars and livestreams, recent events and trainings have been able to reach a wider and more diverse audience than ever before.

During the pandemic, UNITAR NY Office has developed 11 capacity building events and impacted 4,700 participants (including the SDG Learning Center in July). Thank you to the team and Ambassador’s vision, UNITAR NY Office feels confident that future trainings will be a success too.