Learn more about UNITAR Division for Prosperity’s programmes and activities from March 2025 to May 2025.
Major News
Anti-Money Laundering E-Learning Programme Resumes and Expands in Colombia
After a brief pause, our e-learning diploma programme on anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism in Colombia has resumed. The programme is financially supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Department of State. We’ve already received very positive feedback from thousands of participants, underscoring the programme’s relevance and impact. The remaining modules of Diploma 1 will soon be available, and we anticipate launching Diploma 2 by September, contributing to stronger institutions and safer, more secure societies across the region. Read more.
The UNITAR “Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme 2024” concluded on 7 March 2025. The five-day intensive workshop in Fiji brought together 17 professionals from 11 Pacific Island and Asian countries, committed to advancing women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction and strengthening disaster resilience in their communities. The programme was supported by the Government and people of Japan. Read more.
Women and Youth in Afghanistan Complete UNITAR Entrepreneurship Training Programme for Food Security
The third and last phase of UNITAR’s “Food and Economic Security through Entrepreneurship Training for Women and Youth in Afghanistan” was held in Kabul, 22–26 February 2025, funded by the Government and people of Japan. Eighty promising young entrepreneurs from diverse sectors built their financial and entrepreneurial skills so they can enhance food security and economic stability in their communities. Read more.
On 27 March 2025, the Directorate of Climate Change in Türkiye joined UNITAR’s online capacity-building session “Introduction to the Prosperity Blueprint: Project Proposal Development.” The 60-minute training was designed to respond to the Directorate’s need for strengthened proposal-development skills and. It marks a concrete step toward operationalizing the partnership between the two entities. The Directorate is an affiliated institution of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Republic of Türkiye. Read more.
Advancing Peace and Disarmament in Northeast Asia: UNITAR at the NPT Prep Com Side Event in New York
UNITAR held a side event at the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on 28 April at the UN headquarters in New York, hosted by the Government of Mongolia and with support from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki prefectural governments and the Arms Control Association. Featured panellists for the event, “Strengthening Regional Peace and Security in Northeast Asia,” included H.E. Ankhbayar Nyamdorj, Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the UN, and Hiroshima Governor Mr. Hidehiko Yuzaki. The discussion highlighted the urgent need to advance nuclear disarmament, sustainability and peace in Northeast Asia amid growing regional tensions.
Call for Applications
Global Youth Scholars Development Programme – Evaluating the SDGs from the Ground Up
Youth aged 18 to 24 worldwide are invited to explore their role as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) evaluators for the Global Youth Scholars Development Programme. Participants will gain the tools, mentorship and global exposure needed to assess the real-world impact of sustainability efforts within their communities and connect local experiences to global goals.
Deadline for applications: Rolling admission, with the final deadline on 31 October 2025.
Details here.
Motivated entrepreneurs and leaders in agribusiness from Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon are invited to apply for the entrepreneurship and food security training programme for young entrepreneurs and innovators.
Deadline for applications: 20 June 2025 (midnight, UTC+3).
Details here.
Partnerships
UNITAR Prosperity Alliance Chengdu Centre Launched to Advance Sustainable Development
UNITAR, Chengdu United Prosperity Technology Co., Ltd., and the Chengdu Cultural Industry Chamber of Commerce signed a letter of agreement on 7 March 2025 to launch the Prosperity Alliance Chengdu, aiming to drive sustainable economic development through strategic partnerships, capacity-building programmes and innovative solutions. The Director of UNITAR Division for Prosperity visited Chengdu, China, on 8 April and engaged with the Prosperity Alliance Chengdu Working Committee to outline priority initiatives. Read more.
On 2 April 2025, UNITAR and the Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit of the Bank of Papua New Guinea signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance efforts in anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and countering proliferation financing efforts in Papua New Guinea. Read more.
UNITAR joined the League of Tropical Universities 2025 Summit at Hainan University in China, held 14–15 April 2025. At the event, UNITAR signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Tropical Universities Secretariat to promote academic collaboration and skills development. Read more.
UNITAR Launches Prosperity Alliance Shenzhen, Spotlights Youth Innovation and Global Sustainability
On 11 April 2025, UNITAR signed a letter of agreement with China (Shenzhen) International Personnel Training Center to inaugurate the UNITAR Prosperity Alliance Shenzhen (Greater Bay Area). The Alliance will focus on technological collaboration, digital transformation, talent development and international communication to support sustainable growth in the region. Read more.
On 8 May 2025, UNITAR and the non-profit entity Prosperity Center Ltd. launched Prosperity Alliance Singapore, a new regional hub dedicated to advancing clean energy, frontier technology, youth and women leadership and sustainable community development across ASEAN countries. Read more.
UNITAR Joins the Global Learning Conference As Co-founder to Shape the Future of Learning
UNITAR has officially joined the Villars Institute and the Global Learning Council as a co-founder of the Global Learning Conference – a powerful partnership united by a shared mission to shape the future of education and lifelong learning. Read more.
Our Impact
Bridging Food, Technology and Culture in Lebanon: Nathalie Fakher Eddine
Lebanese entrepreneur Nathalie Fakher Eddin completed the UNITAR “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Promoting Food Security and Economic Development in Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon” training programme, which was funded by Japan. Nathalie co-founded a social dining platform that aims to improve the lives of low-income women and families while preserving Lebanon’s rich culinary heritage. Read more.
Learning from Hiroshima about Nuclear Disarmament: Thai Diplomat Manchulika Wongchai
Thai diplomat Manchulika Wongchai participated in the 10th Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training Programme in Hiroshima in February 2025. The programme helped hone Manchulika’s knowledge and skills in preparation for the Third Meeting of the State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Manchulika aims to build connections with and inspire young people to pursue careers in diplomacy. Read more.
Integrating Tech and Community for Effective Early Warnings: Savelinga Faʻoliu, Tonga
Savelinga Fatafehi ‘O Lapaha Fa’oliu, an assistant geologist with Tonga Geological Services, completed the Japan-funded 2024 “Leave No One Behind: Rapid Response to Climate Crises through Early Warning Systems” programme. Savenlinga learned the importance of integrating technology with community involvement and hopes to apply what she learned to build a more disaster-prepared and resilient community in Tonga. Read more.
Paving the Way for Mangrove Conservation in Indonesia: Bryan Sinatra
Bryan Sinatra, CEO of a Bali-based NGO dedicated to mangrove restoration and protection, completed the 2024 UNITAR “Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security” training programme. The Japan-funded programme gave Bryan a holistic view of mangrove restoration within the broader coastal ecosystem and connected him with fellow environmentalists from Asian and Pacific Island countries. Read more.
From Learner to Leader in Sea and Human Security: Loretta Dilu, Papua New Guinea
Loretta Dilu, an academic and researcher in strategic management from Papua New Guinea, completed the Japan-funded 2024 UNITAR “Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security” programme for 2024. Inspired by the programme’s emphasis on collective action, Loretta led a lake restoration project that protects the environment while empowering local communities. She also plans to apply programme insights to her academic research. Read more.
Announcements
Introducing Policy Brief Series on Sea and Human Security in the Indo-Pacific
UNITAR introduces a series of policy briefs on Sea and Human Security in the Indo-Pacific. These briefs were developed through the 2024 UNITAR “Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security” training programme. The first instalment features three policy briefs that were chosen by a panel of experts. They focus on deep-sea mining, maritime decarbonization and community-based Marine Protected Areas. Read more.
This is the sixteenth issue of the UNITAR Division for Prosperity quarterly newsletter. You can read all issues on our website or stay up to date by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. To subscribe, please sign up here. If you have any questions or comments, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at prosperity_communications@unitar.org.
About UNITAR Division for Prosperity
UNITAR Division for Prosperity, one of UNITAR’s programmatic divisions, offers world-class learning and knowledge-sharing services to shape an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world. We support change-makers from around the world, especially women and young people, to address growing inequalities.