Latest news with #UNITAR
Iraq Business
11 hours ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraqis Join Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Training Programme
By John Lee. On 12 July 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) welcomed 524 young participants from Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to the Japan-funded "RISE LAB: Igniting Youth Potential through Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Resilience" training programme. Designed as a multi-phase approach, this programme aims to empower motivated entrepreneurs and leaders, both men and women, from Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon, who are eager to create and implement innovative local solutions to enhance food security and improve the broader private sector. Thanks to the support of the Government and People of Japan, this capacity-building programme is provided free of charge. The 524 participants, aged between 18 and 40, come from diverse backgrounds in the three countries: 291 participants from Iraq, 123 from Egypt, and 110 from Lebanon. The flexible online learning format encourages inclusive participation, allowing participants to learn from anywhere at any time. The first phase of the programme runs online from July to August 2025. This phase focuses on helping participants develop practical skills and competencies to establish their businesses through interactive online modules, expert-led webinars, and peer-to-peer exchanges. The programme is implemented by the Resilient Ideas and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Lab team (RISE LAB) , whose main programmatic focus is sustainable entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, financial literacy, and digital literacy. This initiative reflects UNITAR's commitment to fostering locally driven solutions in fragile and transition-affected contexts. (Source: UNITAR)
Saudi Gazette
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
HRC celebrates first graduating class of 'Human Rights Expert' program
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) held a graduation ceremony at its headquarters in Riyadh on Sunday to honor the first cohort of participants in the 'Human Rights Expert' program. The event was attended by senior officials, program partners, and the graduating students. In her address, HRC President Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri described the program as a milestone in developing professional and national capacities across the human rights field. She emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Commission's mandate and international standards, which underscore education and training as key tools for advancing human rights. 'Through the Human Rights Expert program, the Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, justice, and strong institutions,' Al-Tuwaijri said. She expressed gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership for its unwavering support of efforts to protect and promote human rights. Al-Tuwaijri also congratulated the graduates, praising their dedication throughout the program and describing them as future leaders poised to contribute meaningfully at both local and international levels. The program was implemented in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Majmaah University, and a specialized training center. Al-Tuwaijri also commended the program teams and committees for their efforts in making this first edition a success. Dr. Amal Al-Habdan, head of the program's technical committee and a member of the HRC board, said the initiative went beyond standard training to offer a transformative experience. 'It was a journey of learning, deep understanding, and perseverance, shaped by the contributions of leading local and international experts in human rights development and training,' she said. Alex Mejia, Director of Human and Social Development at UNITAR, noted that the program bridged theory with practice, law with lived experience, and knowledge with leadership. He said this first edition represented an innovative educational model grounded in both global and local human rights priorities, while celebrating cultural identity and contextual specificity. Launched in November 2024, the 'Human Rights Expert' program is a specialized initiative by the Human Rights Commission aimed at preparing a diverse pool of national consultants and experts in various human rights fields. It brings together local expertise and international best practices to deliver a comprehensive training experience.
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Sign Landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), have formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance diplomatic training and institutional collaboration. The signing ceremony was held at UNITAR Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, May 13, 2025. The agreement was signed by Amb. Reginald B. Goodridge, Sr. Director General of the Foreign Service Institute, and Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR. In his remarks, Director General Goodridge highlighted the mission of the FSI and outlined several flagship programs of the Institute, including: The foundational academic curriculum for prospective diplomats; A 6-week refresher program for foreign service officers and newly appointed ambassadors designated by the President of Liberia; The 10-month All-Female Diplomatic Training Program, the first of its kind in Africa, aimed at promoting women's leadership in diplomacy. Director General Goodridge further noted that the dialogue leading to this partnership between the FSI and UNITAR was initiated by Mr. Charles Allen, whose efforts were instrumental in establishing this collaboration. He also shared that he is reviewing a number of agreements signed by his predecessors—including those with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, Morocco, Guinea and Egypt—with a view to developing a distinctly African framework for diplomacy rooted in inter-African cooperation. Speaking on behalf of UNITAR, Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Assistant UN Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR, welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed UNITAR's commitment to a robust and impactful collaboration with the FSI, particularly in co-developing relevant and responsive foreign service training programs tailored to Liberia's needs. Mr. Philippe Aubert, Senior Program Specialist in the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy, presented an overview of UNITAR's offerings, including: An 18-month Master's Program delivered in hybrid and online formats for diplomats; Targeted training linked to the national priorities of host countries; and Various fellowship opportunities, some open to all applicants and others coordinated with academic institutions. He also highlighted UNITAR's long-standing relationships with countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and mentioned Qatar's recent proposal to establish a UNITAR Academy. Also forming part of the Liberian delegation were Permanent Representative (Amb.) Paul Wolokollie Tate and Counselor Abraham Kamara, representatives of the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva. This landmark MOU represents a critical step forward in enhancing the professional development of Liberian diplomats and reaffirms Liberia's commitment to global standards in foreign service training and diplomacy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Cabinet approves draft law on unified system for volunteering in GCC
QNA Doha The Cabinet has approved — in principle — a draft law issuing a unified system (law) for volunteering work in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a draft of its executive regulations. The two drafts' preparation comes within the framework of the Ministry of Social Development and Family's strategy, which aims to enhance social responsibility, spread the culture of volunteering in society, organise volunteering work, ensure its practice with freedom and choice, preserve the rights of volunteers and volunteering organisations, and define the duties of each of them. The Cabinet, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, took the decision at its regular meeting on Wednesday. The Cabinet also approved the draft Cabinet Decision to add a member to the Steering Committee of the Qatar Internet Exchange Point project, established by Decision No (24) of 2018. Prepared by the Communications Regulatory Authority, the draft aims to connect financial institutions subject to the supervision of the Qatar Central Bank to the Internet Exchange Point, in a way that ensures business continuity in the financial sector and supports its vital requirements. The Cabinet approved a draft agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) regarding the establishment and financing of a regional office for UNITAR in the State of Qatar; a draft core contribution agreement between the Qatar Fund for Development of the State of Qatar and the United Nations World Food Programme for multilateral funding for the years 2025-2026; and a draft letter of intent between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation in the field of mediation and facilitation. The Cabinet also approved a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic affairs between the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the State of Qatar and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and a draft air services agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Nauru. The Cabinet concluded the weekly meeting by reviewing a report on the outcomes of the participation of Qatar's delegation, headed by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, in the 16th International Economic Forum Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum (Republic of Tatarstan - May 2025), regarding which it took the appropriate decision.
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Cabinet approves draft law issuing unified system for volunteering work in GCC countries
DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani has chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held at the Amiri Diwan. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi stated the following: The Cabinet reviewed the topics on its agenda. It approved - in principle - a draft law issuing a unified system (law) for volunteering work in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a draft of its executive regulations. The two drafts' preparation comes within the framework of the Ministry of Social Development and Family's strategy, which aims to enhance social responsibility, spread the culture of volunteering in society, organize volunteering work, ensure its practice with freedom and choice, preserve the rights of volunteers and volunteering organizations, and define the duties of each of them. The Cabinet also approved the draft Cabinet Decision to add a member to the Steering Committee of the Qatar Internet Exchange Point project, established by Decision No. (24) of 2018. Prepared by the Communications Regulatory Authority, this draft aims to connect financial institutions subject to the supervision of the Qatar Central Bank to the Internet Exchange Point, in a way that ensures business continuity in the financial sector and supports its vital requirements. The Cabinet approved a draft agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) regarding the establishment and financing of a regional office for UNITAR in the State of Qatar; a draft core contribution agreement between the Qatar Fund for Development of the State of Qatar and the United Nations World Food Program for multilateral funding for the years 2025-2026; a draft letter of intent between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and the Federal Departmentآ of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation in the field of mediation and facilitation; a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic affairs between the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the State of Qatar and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and a draft air services agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Nauru. The Cabinet concluded the weekly meeting by reviewing a report on the outcomes of the participation of Qatar's delegation, headed by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, in the 16th International Economic Forum 'Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum'(Republic of Tatarstan - May 2025), regarding which it took the appropriate decision.
