2 November 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – In support of strengthening capacities for assessing, reviewing, and improving the performance of Early Warning Systems, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) have launched the “After-Event Review (AER) of Early Warning Systems: Concept, Methodology and Application” online course.

2 November, Hiroshima, Japan – As the world prepares to mark World Tsunami Awareness Day on 5 November, over 1,100 young people aged 14 to 25 participated in a month of learning on disaster risk reduction, community resilience and youth leadership. The online course, Youth Leaders for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026 Online Course, ran from 1 to 30 September 2026 and was organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and funded by the Government and People of Japan.

2 November 2026, New York, United States - More than 50 policy and technical experts gathered on 21 October to examine how governments and international organizations can address security risks arising from the proliferation and potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly by malicious non-State actors. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), convened the discussion during the First Committee of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Discussions highlighted the limitations of existing non-proliferation regimes and export control frameworks in addressing AI's rapid development, global accessibility, and dual-use applications. Participants examined how these challenges complicate efforts to monitor the development, transfer, and potential misuse of AI capabilities, particularly as the technology becomes increasingly accessible to malicious non-State actors.

27 October 2026, Hiroshima, Japan – More than 1,000 professionals from all 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) participated in the first phase of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Green Economic Acceleration programme. Participants submitted more than 500 early-stage green-economy project proposals, and 200 were selected for the programme’s mentoring phase that began on 13 October 2026.

26 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – Qatar’s Ministry of Justice and UNITAR have launched the Justice, Tech & Youth Innovation Challenge, bringing together approximately 100 young professionals from GCC countries for training and a hackathon in Doha on 21–28 March 2027. Applications are open until 31 December 2026.

24 October 2026 - On United Nations Day, we are reminded of the enduring commitment made by the Organization's founding Member States to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, uphold human rights and dignity, advance justice, and work collectively for a more peaceful, sustainable and equitable world.

21 October 2026, Nairobi, Kenya – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research, in collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and the FIA Foundation, launched the Safe Mobility for All and for Life (SM4A4L) edition for Africa.

21 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland- The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) welcomes the approval by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of an Agreement for the establishment of its project office in the Kingdom, alongside a Memorandum of Understanding on cybersecurity cooperation between the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) and the UNITAR Cybersecurity Office. Announced by the Saudi Press Agency on 20 October 2026, the decision marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the United Nations and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, strengthening the institutional foundations for long-term cooperation in cybersecurity capacity development, digital resilience and international knowledge exchange.

20 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – Eleven Caribbean countries now have national assessments of electronic waste (e-waste) and the systems available to manage it. The reports provide a country-specific starting point for decisions on collection, treatment, financing and policy.

12 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – Nominations are open until 1 November 2026 for the Doha Best Negotiator of the Year Award 2026. The award will be presented during Doha World Negotiation Day on 7 December 2026 in Doha, Qatar.