30 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - From 29th to 30th March 2021, UNITAR, ESCAP, UNDP, and UNDESA teamed up for a virtual training on the Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF), held over 3 half-days. Titled “Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF) and Budgeting for the 2030 Agenda: Financing Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery”, the first day took a deep dive into the INFF building block on integrated financing strategies, including country cases and practical experiences based on DFA findings. The second and the third days focused on the alignment of budgeting processes with nationally determined SDG priorities. 382 participants attended the training sessions, coming from 39 Asia-Pacific and 7 other countries working in national governments, UN and international organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, private sector, and academia.

26 March, 2021, Hiroshima, Japan – UNITAR is delighted to announce the signing of the 7th Special Purpose Grant Agreement (SPG) with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government for FY 2021 to 2023. Since the establishment of UNITAR Hiroshima Office in 2003, the Hiroshima Prefectural Government has continuously supported our implementation of trainings.

24 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR Road Safety Global Training Initiative and the International Road Federation (IRF) joined forces to deliver on the 18th of March of 2021 a Master Class on Management Practices for Safer Roads, in the framework of the International Road Federation regional conference on Connecting Asia-Pacific with Smart, Safe and Resilient Roads.

23 March 2021, Durban, South Africa - The “Autosobriety Training Programme to Prevent Drink-Driving” aims at equipping driving schools in South Africa with educational tools in order to contribute to the prevention and reduction of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries in the eThekwini Municipality. The Autosobriety Programme will be delivered through a number of stakeholders, including private driving schools.

UNITAR is pleased to announce the launch of the new partnership with the Geneva Macro Labs, a Geneva-based Think and Do Tank with the goal to shape international collaboration, build capacity and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

21 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - Building on the successful experience of the pilot training held for North and Central Asian countries in January 2021, UNITAR, ESCAP, UNDP, and UNDESA have teamed up - in collaboration with the country-led platform Asia-Pacific SDG Finance Facility (APFIN) - to create a knowledge sharing and learning space for Asia-Pacific countries to share experiences related to strengthening INFFs and to learn about possible approaches and steps for choosing the right approach to align budgets with the SDGs. 

18 March, 2021, Hiroshima, Japan - Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) and the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC), honoured women scientists, doctors, and researchers and other women working in STEM with a day-long conference, Women in STEM in the Time of the Pandemic – Facing Challenges, Finding Resilience. More than 250 people from 55 countries joined leaders from the public, private, INGO communities.

15 March 2021, New York, United States (Virtual) – United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York office concluded the Columbia University Law School Spring Series with its successful third endowment of the ser on conflict resolution for innovative program-solving on Monday 15 March 2021. The online event attracted over 120 participants from different countries around the world and was supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund, under the programme ‘Leveling the Playing Field’ which focuses on the development of skills and knowledge of Least Developing Countries. Participants of the whole series will receive a certificate signed by the Dean of Columbia Law School, Gillian Lester and ASG, Executive Director, Mr. Nikhil Seth.

15 March 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - On March 15, 2021, UNITAR and UN Statistics Division conducted a side event – “Adjusting statistical activities with StaTact to monitor the SDGs for a COVID-19 recovery and acceleration of the 2030 Agenda” – as part of the UNECE Regional Forum 2021. Attended by over 50 participants, the side event consisted of three segments – first, an introduction of the platform and its principles: second, a demonstration of StaTact, and third, sharing of a practical country experience where StaTact has been utilised.

8 March 2021, Thika, Kenya – To further advance the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development and particularly Goals 4 of Quality Education, 16 of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17 of Partnerships for Development, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has entered a new strategic partnership with Mount Kenya University with the official signing ceremony having taken place on the 8th of March 2021 in the blended format.