On 14 July 2020, UNICEF, UNECA and UNITAR organized an online side event “Strengthening National Capacities for the World We Want – Embedding Evaluation in Voluntary National Reviews” during the virtual 2020 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The event aimed to explore and promote the use of evaluative thinking and evidence within Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Representatives from UNICEF, UNECA and UNITAR were joined by panelists from several African countries to share their experiences and the challenges and opportunities they have faced in their VNR and evaluation processes.

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) are effective tools for the collection and dissemination of data on emissions and transfers of a determined list of chemicals. The availability of this information can help policy-makers to identify the source of chemical pollution in the country to make informed decisions on how to best remediate degraded environments and enact policies related to the sound management of chemicals.

29 June 2020, Geneva, Switzerland, The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) - Division for People and Barbara Harrison Media Inc. (BHM) have joined forces to produce podcast episodes dedicated to cover a wide variety of topics that both entertain and educate young listeners on sustainable development related topics.

9 June 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - In response to the persistent and unprecedented COVID-19 challenge and committed to the promotion of inclusive sustainable development, UNITAR and Solarkiosk have launched a multi-sectoral, multi-partner collaboration to support preparedness and response on the African continent, at the national level. This integrated multi-level public-private partnership aims to provide solar-powered equipment and infrastructure for screening, testing and treatment of the general population with the help of mobile, solar-powered laboratories. The project constitutes a real, practical and feasible solution that will help to tackle the growing COVID-19 risks in Africa, thereby saving thousands of lives.

Ethiopia and UN CC:Learn have developed the guideline 'Integrating Climate Change into the Ethiopian Curriculum - An Annotated Guideline for Curriculum Developers' which was accepted into the current curriculum reform process. As next steps, the partnership will look at training of textbook authors on developing climate change content for climate change carrier subjects and climate change teaching in early 2020. 

Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) has launched a new summer course on Green Industry starting in July. Check out how to register!

April 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - Mr. Rabih El-Haddad, Director of the UNITAR Division for Multilateral Diplomacy, reflects on the momentous changes with which the diplomatic world had to grapple in the span of a few months, and contemplates on paths for a successful transition, using UNITAR's example.

21 April 2020, Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and microlearning platform EdApp today announced their collaborative effort “Educate All,” a global learning initiative designed to democratize and increase access to free, high-quality adult education.

Maksim is a young researcher at Moscow State University in Russia with a thirst for knowledge. He is also professionally active in a non-profit agricultural organization. The subject matter of the FAO-UNITAR course seemed an interesting addition to his research, and previous positive experiences with FAO training convinced him to apply.

"The activities of the project that EPA, UNDP and UNITAR have supported has significantly increased the priority given to mercury management in Ghana."