5 December 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will hold a side event during UNCCD 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) Global Advocacy Dialogue Series: “Cultivating Prosperity: Agriculture Partnerships for Sustainable Development”, on 7 December 2024 (6-7:30 p.m.) in Riyadh. The high-stakes dialogue will bring together key stakeholders to chart the course for transformative agricultural partnerships and innovative financial solutions that will shape the future of sustainable farming.

3 December 2024, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - President of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Mr. Luis Abinader, signed Decree 656-24, formally declaring road safety a national priority and initiating the development of the National Road Safety Plan 2025–2030.

3 December 2024, Mpumalanga, South Africa – Following the successful kick-off in Eswatini, the “Management Practices for Safer Roads” workshop series continued with sessions in the cities of Gqbertha, Rustenburg and Mpumalanga in South Africa.

26 November 2024, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office and Columbia Law School have collaborated to deliver another set of impactful series of workshops for this Fall, addressing critical global issues through skill-building and education. The participants encompassed diplomats from the UN Secretariat, industry professionals, non-government organizations, with every session attracting over 100 registrants, benefitting a total of approximately 200 in-person participants. Building on this success, UNITAR NYO and Columbia Law School are collaborating again for a special Mediation and Multilateral Clinic in Spring 2025.

29 November 2024 Geneva, Switzerland - On 13 November 2024, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Wolverhampton signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through programmes, research and innovation centers. This partnership will foster innovative education models, cutting-edge research, and meaningful international cooperation to advance SDG progress across sectors.

28 November 2024, Geneva, Switzerland - Responsible AI governance is essential to maximize the benefits of digital technologies and leave no one behind – this was the message highlighted at the UNITAR AI Strategy Master Class “Leading the AI Revolution – Strategy, Innovation, and Global Impact”, held for diplomatic representatives in Geneva on 24-25 October 2024 at the Palais des Nations.

27 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Emmanuel Mutabazi is a Rwandan innovator who offers inclusive training programmes, especially for women and youth in communities that lack access to digital resources. A UNITAR digital skills training programme expanded his capacity to work towards his goal to make sure technology empowers everyone.

27 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Luisa Taunga is Assistant Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Management Office in Tonga, where she heads the Research and Training Division, focusing on disaster preparedness, training and response strategies to ensure that communities are well-equipped to handle emergencies. She was a participant in one of the earliest cohorts of the UNITAR disaster risk reduction training programme, in 2017. Having since established herself as a leader in building community-level preparedness and resilience to disasters, Luisa returned as a facilitator for the 2023 UNITAR disaster risk reduction programme.

27 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - In October 2010, as ash and smoke darkened the skies over Java, Fega Ayu Pangestika found herself in an unfamiliar place. Mount Merapi, located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta in Indonesia, had violently erupted. The eruptions continued into November, displacing more than 360,000 people and killing nearly 400.

27 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – Fahima founded a clothing company in Afghanistan through which she aims to uplift women. The UNITAR “Great Ideas Space 2023 Programme for Afghanistan: Food Security and Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation” helped her overhaul her business model and marketing strategy.