In the wake of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed over 230,000 lives and left millions displaced, the urgent need for a coordinated disaster response system among international agencies, governments, and humanitarian organizations became glaringly evident. In response, the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) was established to bridge the gap between real-time disaster data and response capabilities. Integral to this effort was UNOSAT’s development of the Satellite Mapping Coordination System (SMCS) in 2010, following the Haiti earthquake, which facilitates real-time coordination between mapping organizations during disaster events.

23 July 2024, Geneva, Switzerland - The FIA and its new partner United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) have kicked off the SafeForAll&forLife project with support from the FIA Foundation.

23 July 2024, San Salvador, El Salvador – The United Nations for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of El Salvador through their Diplomatic Institute “Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero” signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a cooperative framework to promote the development and implementation of training activities.

19 July 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – UNITAR invites Afghan youth to apply to the “UNITAR Training for Afghan Youth: Advancing Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship” training programme. This programme is open to youth keen on entrepreneurship and agribusiness and will run from August 2024 to March 2025, including two online phases and an in-person workshop. Participants will learn crucial digital, financial and entrepreneurship skills tailored to enhance food security and economic stability in their communities.

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.

16 July 2024, New York City, United States of America – UNITAR’s Global Water Academy (UGWA) co-hosted its official side event at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) with York University entitled ‘Pathways to Resilience: Advancing Solutions for Global Freshwater Quality’. This UGWA HLPF side event explored the multilateral and environmental drivers that exacerbated the deterioration of the quality of global freshwaters. 

12 July 2024, Abuja, Nigeria – From July 8 to 12, 2023, representatives from various environmental and meteorological agencies in Nigeria convened for a vital workshop aimed at enhancing the nation's capacity in geospatial information technology (GIT). This initiative, part of the project "Strengthening Capacities in the Use of Geospatial Information for Improved Resilience in Asia-Pacific and Africa (2021-2024)," is supported by NORAD and jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment and UNOSAT, the United Nations Satellite Centre.

12 July 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – UNITAR, together with Hiroshima Prefecture and Nagasaki Prefecture, will support the organizing of a side event at the Second Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The side event, “Advancing the Global Agenda of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World”, will be led by the Government of Austria. It will be a panel discussion and take place on 24 July 2024, from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. CEST/8:15 to 9:30 p.m. JST at the conference room XXII of the Palais des Nations.

09 July 2024, New York, United States – The Women in Cyber Fellowship, an innovative initiative by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York Office in partnership with the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, and the United States Department of State held its seventh fellowship convening at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. This fellowship ran from July 1-5 wherein they welcomed 34 fellows from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and regions in developing countries, introducing them to critical United Nations and Cyber issues.

8 July 2024, Shanghai, China - UNITAR and Cushman & Wakefield signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 20 June 2024, setting the foundation for a strategic partnership aimed at exploring and advancing mutual areas of interest. Director of UNITAR Division for Prosperity Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto and Chief Executive Officer of Greater China at Cushman & Wakefield Mr. Jinquan Zhao took part in the signing ceremony, underscoring the high level of commitment from both parties.