The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), founded in 1963, is a training branch of the United Nations System, whose mission is to develop the capacities of individuals, organizations, and institutions to improve their decision making and to support actions that will build a better future.
UNITAR offers training activities and capacity building, especially for developing countries, in four major themes: Peace, people, and social inclusion, in order to promote peaceful, just and inclusive societies that ensure the well-being of the population; The planet, environmental protection and restoration, and climate change, supporting the conservation of the planet and its resources for present and future generations. Sustainable economic prosperity, aiming for the promotion of economic growth in an inclusive and sustainable way; Cross-fertilizing knowledge, encouraging the optimization of the use of technology and the implementation of the Agenda 2030.
UNITAR also develops research on innovative approaches, methods, and learning tools as well as applied research to address critical questions, in order to reduce the risk of human disaster and emergencies.
In 2016, aproximately 55,000 people benefited from more than 400 activities developed by the Institute, with approximately 80% of these people being from developing countries and The Least Developed Countries (LDC) list.
As an autonomous body within the United Nations System, UNITAR is supervised by an Administrative Counsel and is headed by an Executive Director. To achieve its plan of action and offer high quality trainings, the Institute is funded by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernemntal organizations, foundations, and other non-governmental sources.
Learn more about Unitar through the site.