Latest news with #UNITAR
Zawya
2 days ago
- 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.
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Justice Ministry, UNITAR partner on advanced legal training
QNA Doha The Ministry of Justice on Monday signed an agreement with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to organise an advanced training program aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the legal sector in Qatar. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice Saeed bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi and UNITAR Executive Director Michelle Gyles-McDonnough signed the deal. The program will be implemented in two phases in the State of Qatar. The first phase aims to educate participants about various legal challenges and introduce them to opportunities for innovation and keeping pace with developments in justice and technology through comprehensive and integrated training workshops. The second phase will focus on assessing participants' innovative potential and enhancing the knowledge acquired during the first phase, through organizing a dedicated hackathon. A statement issued by the Ministry of Justice clarified that the launch of this program is part of the Ministry's 2025–2030 strategy, which prioritises the development of the training sector in line with Qatar National Vision 2030's human development pillar and the Third National Development Strategy that supports this direction. The statement added that the program will offer the legal sector in the country the opportunity to benefit from artificial intelligence applications and the effective tools provided by technology to address the complex challenges facing the world. It noted that integrating technology into the legal system will help enhance efficiency, improve access to justice, and promote transparency—supporting the principles of swift and effective justice. The statement also emphasized that the active participation of youth, along with public-private partnerships, has become essential, given the digital competencies and innovative perspectives this group brings—contributing to the development of legal solutions that align with the evolving needs of society. It highlighted the importance of aligning legal frameworks with technological advancement as a necessary step to ensure the evolution of the rule of law in parallel with societal transformations. It stressed that the integration of justice, technology, youth, and modern rule of law is no longer optional, but a necessity for building a resilient legal system capable of meeting the dynamic needs of society.
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Mission in Geneva honours winner of‘Doha Best Negotiator of the Year' award
QNA Geneva The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva hosted an official ceremony to honour Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), for receiving the prestigious 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year' award. This award, presented annually by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), recognises outstanding contributions to international negotiation and mediation. In her address at the ceremony, HE Dr Hend bint Abdalrahman Al Muftah, Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, welcomed ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives of international organisations, alongside officials from UNITAR and the ADN Group—an international agency specialising in negotiation. Dr Al Muftah noted that the 2024 edition of the award holds particular significance for Qatar, as it was renamed the Doha Best Negotiator of the Year Award in recognition of its announcement during the Doha World Negotiation Day, hosted by UNITAR and the ADN Group in collaboration with the Doha Forum. She emphasised that this ceremony reflects Qatar's steadfast commitment to promoting a culture of negotiation, mediation, and peaceful resolution—core tenets of its foreign policy. The award, she said, aims to honour individuals who make effective contributions toward resolving international conflicts and fostering humane, just, and sustainable solutions. Highlighting Qatar's two-decade record as a neutral, trusted mediator, Dr Al Muftah outlined the country's achievements in facilitating ceasefires, restoring diplomatic ties, securing hostage releases, negotiating prisoner exchanges, enabling national dialogue, resolving border disputes, achieving humanitarian outcomes, and brokering peace agreements in numerous global conflicts. Commending Grynspan's distinguished career, Dr Al Muftah underscored her pivotal role in the Istanbul agreements—particularly the Black Sea Initiative, which enabled the export of millions of tonnes of grain and food supplies from Ukraine, thereby bolstering global food security and mitigating famine risks in low-income nations. Dr Al Muftah praised Grynspan's unwavering commitment to ethical diplomacy, human rights, and environmental responsibility, stating that these values form the foundation of effective international negotiation. She also paid tribute to negotiators around the world who work under challenging conditions to secure peace and protect lives, affirming Qatar's ongoing dedication to mediation and peaceful solutions as a responsible international partner. In her response, Rebeca Grynspan expressed deep gratitude to the State of Qatar for the honour, reaffirming her commitment to a fair, inclusive diplomacy that serves humanity and promotes global stability.
