People

Accelerating Local SDG Implementation and Resilience


In 2024, UNITAR deepened the global-local nexus by equipping stakeholders with practical knowledge to localize SDGs, promote digital governance, enhance public safety and strengthen resilience to water and disaster risks.

Together, these results exemplify the Institute’s commitment to leaving no one behind by empowering local actors to drive sustainable development and resilience from the ground up.

Localizing the SDGs Through the CIFAL Global Network

The CIFAL Global Network expanded to 33 centres worldwide, delivered more than 400 learning events that reached over 153,000 beneficiaries. With more than 60 per cent women and youth participants, CIFAL prioritized inclusive development, particularly for persons with disabilities and indigenous communities, contributing to equitable local leadership and resilient societies.

Read more in the full report >
Participants of the Developing a Sustainability Mindset Workshop at Mahidol University, CIFAL Victoria.

Digital Governance and Rights-Based Approaches

UNITAR advanced digital governance through its Digital Government Academy, enabling public servants in 14 countries to build user-friendly digital services. Through the Expert in Human Rights Programme in Saudi Arabia and anti-corruption partnerships with the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, hundreds of professionals strengthened capacities in public ethics, human rights and legislative integrity.

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Carbon Registry Service Design Workshop, Colombia.

Advancing Safer Roads and Safer Airports

UNITAR promoted public safety through the Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life initiative, supporting 13 Latin American countries via 56 specialized road safety courses. The new Airports & Economic Development Global Training Programme empowered aviation leaders to leverage AI, cybersecurity and global partnerships, driving innovation in air transport systems.

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Former UNITAR Executive Director (Nikhil Seth) at the opening of the Road Safety Mural, created by artist Dragon76 in New York City.
Image of Dr. Karol Ruiz Valera

The “The Magic Drop” course has been shared and recommended to mothers and their families so that they know the importance of preferring and putting breastfeeding first, as well as the difficulties and how to overcome them.

Dr. Karol Ruiz Valera

San José, Costa Rica

Costa Rica in the Forum “The Best Start for Life”

Water Security and Disaster Resilience

The UNITAR Global Water Academy trained 8,000 professionals from 147 countries in implementation of the UN System-Wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation. Alongside United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), UNITAR trained over 2,700 local officials in disaster risk reduction, assisting countries in making progress on the commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and building climate-resilient communities.

Read more in the full report >
Speaker participants at Plasma4Life Roundtable in Geneva.

Advancing Public Health and Medical Innovation

Plasma4Life emerged as a critical knowledge hub on plasma-derived medicinal products, enabling evidence-based policymaking for 4,000 users. SURGhub trained over 10,500 health professionals from 175 countries with the aim to strengthen equitable access to surgical education. The third year of the Virtual Roundtable Series on Ageing convened global voices to advance inclusion and quality of life for older persons, supporting the UN Decade for Healthy Ageing. The initiative mobilized diverse institutions to drive global awareness and policy coherence on ageing.

Read more in the full report >
Image of Agata Kochanowska

With our recent launch of the Autosobriety Poland platform, we are significantly increasing our reach both in terms of people trained and general awareness raised.

Agata Kochanowska

Płock, Poland

Leading the Way in Road Safety in Poland