22 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – For most people, organic waste is a problem to be managed. But to plant pathologist Dr. Josephine Jere, it is a resource. Josephine believes managing organic waste in urban areas can provide a sustainable means to revive degraded agricultural land, particularly in areas where traditional farming methods have led to soil infertility.

19 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – Tanzanian entrepreneur and assistant lecturer Angela Baltazary is passionate about conservation. Through the UNITAR programme on green livelihoods, she developed and embarked on a project to convert the methane in organic waste to protein, which would then be used in her venture that breeds, raises and harvests fish for food. Using organic waste in this way reduces greenhouse gases while contributing to public health and food security in Tanzania.

16 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - The threat of a nuclear world war is far from over, with several countries still holding nuclear weapons in their arsenals. As this generation is accountable to future generations, the role of passionate diplomats negotiating for a nuclear-weapons-free world has become more important than ever. One such diplomat is Soksamnang “Sam” Nov from Cambodia. He is currently a First Secretary to the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations in New York. He engages in work related to the First Committee including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( etc.. He participated in the 2024 UNITAR Hiroshima Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training to further his skills as a diplomat.

The increase in disaster occurrences and the high numbers of victims resulting from conflicts are urgent issues that require effective and rapid action. Satellite imagery analysis is a vital tool essential in this response, as it can cover large areas and provide accurate information in near real-time.
UNOSAT’s Emergency Mapping Service (EMS), funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA), provides satellite image analysis during humanitarian emergencies related to disasters, complex emergencies and conflict situations. With a 24/7 year-round availability to process requests, the team of experienced analysts ensure timely and tailored delivery of satellite imagery-derived maps (both web and static maps), reports and data ready for direct inclusion in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for evidence-based decision-making and operational planning.

Prashanthi Krishnamoorthy is the deputy director of the South Asia Division at the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, where she manages bilateral relations with India, Maldives and Pakistan. Prashanthi took part in the FY2023 UNITAR Hiroshima Training Programme on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation to enhance her ability to support and advance global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.

The increase in disaster occurrences and the high numbers of victims resulting from conflicts are urgent issues that require effective and rapid action. Satellite imagery analysis is a vital tool essential in this response, as it can cover large areas and provide accurate information in near real time.



UNOSAT’s Emergency Mapping Service (EMS), funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA), provides satellite image analysis during humanitarian emergencies related to disasters, complex emergencies and conflict situations. With a 24/7 year-round availability to process requests, the team of experienced analysts ensure timely and tailored delivery of satellite imagery derived maps (both web and static maps), reports and data ready for direct inclusion in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for evidence based decision making and operational planning.

Mrs Khaemeuy Chao is an employee of the technical staff of the Weather Forecasting and Warning Division, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Her role involves disseminating weather forecasts, monitoring and analysing weather conditions for issuing weather forecasts, and severe weather warnings, writing press releases, and compiling monthly summary reports. Recently, Mrs Chao decided to strengthen her capacity in this area by attending training courses organised by UNOSAT as part of the project "Strengthening Capacities in the Use of Geospatial Information for Improved Resilience in Asia-Pacific and Africa (2021-2024)". She has participated in various courses, including "Strengthening Capacities in the Use of Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) for Disaster Risk Management", "Advanced Training on Earth Observation (EO) Applications for Disaster Risk Management" and "Advanced Training on Geospatial Information Technologies for Decision Making in Disaster Risk Reduction". 

Vannie Djounguep is reshaping gender equality, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability in Cameroon and beyond. Vannie is the founder and executive director of an organization that advocates for gender equality and environmental protection, especially in the informal sector. She participated in the UNITAR Advancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment 2023 Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Training Programme, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and generously funded by the Government of Canada.

We know that, globally, women hold over one-third of seats in local decision-making bodies.xxvii However, there is a lack of data on the participation of indigenous women in local decision-making. Merlyn, a research and data analyst at the Learning Planet Institute (University of Paris Cité), knows this issue first-hand. In Colombia, there are around two million indigenous peoples, according to the 2018 Census (IWGIA). However, their inclusion in decision-making processes remains limited, especially for women. 

The commitment of the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SGCAN in Spanish) to the well-being of its 115 million inhabitants is more than just a mission - it's a driving force for positive change.