United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Mission

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is making concrete contributions to developing the capacities of tens of thousands of people in member states around the world. Since its inception in 1965, UNITAR has built sustainable partnerships, acquiring unique expertise and accumulating experience and knowledge to fulfil its mandate. These accomplishments have enabled UNITAR to respond to the growing demand from UN Member States for training for capacity development in the fields of Environment, Peace, Security and Diplomacy, and Governance. UNITAR also researches technology applications and knowledge systems innovation to bring to the UN system and its member states a distinctive advantage in learning and capacity development.

Disaster Reduction Goal

In keeping with its mandate and competencies, the goal of UNITAR in DRR is to contribute directly to the transfer to Member States and national experts of the skills and knowledge necessary to implement at national and local levels the policies and guidelines elaborated at global level, thus providing actionable leverage to increase resilience.

Policies and Programmes in DRR

Highlights of impact since 2011:

View 2011 UNITAR DRR profile

Since 2011, UNOSAT trained over 300 professionals through specialized training in the use of space applications and geo-spatial information for disaster preparedness and response, and territorial planning for DRR. Geo-information and thus the trainings delivered by UNOSAT have direct impact on all the phases of the disaster cycle and thus on the five HFA Priority of Action. UNOSAT is currently running in:

• Asia: two regional training courses and two national training courses.

• Central America: one in-country capacity development programme.

• The Middle East: one regional training for Gulf Countries in association with ISDR Cairo.

• Africa: one regional capacity development in association with IGAD.

UNOSAT is also collaborating with Universities up to Masters level: two three-week master level training courses in the use of GIS and satellite analysis for disaster management (Universities of Copenhagen and Lund). Knowledge sharing: specialized sessions and modules conducted in collaboration with University of Geneva, Duke University, UN System Staff College.

Membership in Key Networks

• International Charter Space and Major Disasters
• Integrated Flood Management Helpdesk
• GEO – Group on Earth Observations
• Post Disaster Needs Assessment - PDNA Cooperation agreement UN-WB-European Commission
• Partners with regional organization as Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for implementation of regional DRR project respectively in Southeast Asia and east Africa
• Contributes to the implementation of the ESCAP led Asia-Pacific plan of Action for Applications of Space Technology and Geographic Information Systems for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development, 2012-2017
• UN user intermediary for the triggering of the International Space and Major Disasters
• Support based partner of the Integrated Flood Management Helpdesk

National Counterpart

Various ministries, local authorities, universities, civil society and private sector.

Disaster Reduction Focal Point(s)

Climate Change Programme, Local Development Programme, and Operational Satellite Applications Programme UNOSAT, unosat@unitar.org, Tel: +41 22 766 23 24

Making disaster risk reduction a policy priority, institutional strengthening (HFA 1)

View 2011 UNITAR DRR profile

Since 2011, UNOSAT trained over 300 professionals through specialized training in the use of space applications and geo-spatial information for disaster preparedness and response, and territorial planning for DRR.

Geo-information and thus the trainings delivered by UNOSAT have direct impact on all the phases of the disaster cycle and thus on the five HFA Priority of Action.

UNOSAT is currently running in:

• Asia: two regional training courses and two national training courses.
• Central America: one in-country capacity development programme.
• The Middle East: one regional training for Gulf Countries in association with ISDR Cairo.
• Africa: one regional capacity development in association with IGAD.

UNOSAT is also collaborating with Universities up to Masters level: two three-week master level training courses in the use of GIS and satellite analysis for disaster management (Universities of Copenhagen and Lund). Knowledge sharing: specialized sessions and modules conducted in collaboration with University of Geneva, Duke University, UN System Staff College.