The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is one of the most recent arrivals in Bonn and, by establishing its presence through an office, joins 24 other UN entities collectively “shaping a sustainable future” in a unique space of creativity and cooperation.

The UNITAR Bonn office will provide a full range of services spanning its work across all pillars of Agenda 2030, together with flagship programmes on multi-lateral diplomacy, climate change learning, e-waste, non-communicable disease, peace and satellite analysis & research. UNITAR provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future.

Over the years, UNITAR has acquired unique expertise and experience in designing and delivering a variety of capacity building activities. It has become a leading institute in the provision of customized and creative learning solutions to institutions and individuals from both public and private sectors. The opening of the UNITAR Bonn office and an increased focus on research will make it possible to help transform mindsets of millions of people by offering analytical work linked high quality learning solutions. 

In just over two decades, the city of Bonn has developed into a hub of sustainability work where global challenges are addressed by a network of UN entities, federal ministries, intergovernmental organizations and international non-governmental organizations, scientific institutions, industry and businesses. The UN Bonn Campus in the city’s former parliamentary quarter on the banks of the Rhine river is a visible symbol of this evolution of ideas, services and future intent.

The UNITAR Bonn office will provide a unique blend of applied research and high-quality learning opportunities for professionals, from both public and private sector spheres. The beneficiary groups will be mainly from developing countries, small island states and groups and communities that are vulnerable and in conflict, and, secondly, from post-industrialization countries, which have unsustainable patterns and are thereby endangering the limited resources of the earth and the well-being of future generations. The challenge is now to uncover and support the spread of real innovation towards an inclusive and sustainable future.

UNITAR’s Bonn office will focus on the following areas of work in line with the Institute’s Strategic Framework:

UN Peacekeeping and a well-trained police force helps countries to achieve lasting peace, supports political processes, protects hundreds of thousands of civilians and helps guarantee cease fires. Training is a necessary and strategic investment. UNITAR’s Division for Peace will increase its activities related to conflict prevention and mediation, pre-deployment training, Rule of Law, Youth and Women Empowerment, post conflict stabilisation, Counter Terrorism, the Humanitarian Framework and Development, Health and Resilience and Recovery out of UNITAR’s Bonn office. 

Further, UNITAR, in line with the framework set by the UN Secretary-General, engages in various activities aimed at establishing and strengthening the rule of law at the national, regional and international levels. UNITAR develops and implements capacity-building initiatives for the benefit of Member States, institutions and key actors at all levels with the aim of enhancing a worldwide compliance to international principles, norms and standards while advancing a culture of peace, democracy, justice and respect of human rights. New UNITAR learning services and products are planned to be aimed at assisting societies devastated by conflict or emerging from repressive rule – with a particular focus on Libya, South Sudan, the G5 Sahel countries as well as the countries surrounding the Gulf of Guinea- to re-establish the rule of law and come to terms with large-scale violations of human rights.

The Bonn office functions as a central interface between the Division for Peace and its European donors and partners and provides a strong diplomatic impact due to the location near Brussels.

Thanks to the exclusiveness of the Division for Peace's staff, flexible organisation and efficient deployment has solidified.

Since the Division for Peace was added to the Bonn Office, the international influence has increased continuously.

Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the cities level through an annual mayors’ forum. The annual Mayoral Forum is a city-led global initiative that aims to propose new and innovative approaches to urban governance and planning in the context of Agenda 2030. It is planned to organize the Forum in Bonn in collaboration with the office of the Mayor of Bonn and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The Forum will highlight practical and innovative solutions at the cities level on environmental and social challenges.

The SCYCLE programme focuses on promoting concepts of circular economy originating out of previous approaches towards sustainability such as Zero Emissions/Waste, Industrial Ecology, Natural Capitalism, Factor X, the Natural Step, and Cradle to Cradle principles. It provides a one stop shop for research and training associated with the production, usage and disposal of ubiquitous goods (such as electronics, batteries, automotives) working with multiple partners across industry, businesses, regions and municipalities, but equally academia and non-governmental actors.

The Division for Prosperity delivers high-quality and effective training programmes to empower individuals, organisations, and institutions with competencies and knowledge to support their community, their organisation, and their country. We deliver across a range of thematic topics to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Considering the strategic location of Bonn, UNITAR’s Division for Prosperity aims to collaborate closely with the UNITAR Bonn to explore possible partnership with the international community including UNIDO in the areas of private sector development, support to small- and medium entreprises (SMEs), and promotion of entrepreneurship to catalyse the creation of employment for vulnerable populations. 

UNITAR’s multilateral diplomacy trainings focus on enhancing the capacities of diplomats, public officials, delegates, and other stakeholders to increase performance in conferences and meetings convened at the United Nations. The Unit’s activities cover a wide range of policy domains, including multilateral negotiation, economic diplomacy, human rights, public diplomacy, Agenda 2030 and other related topics. In collaboration with the UNFCCC Secretariat, it is planned to develop learning conferences for delegates prior to future Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings.

The Division intends to engage with UNITAR Bonn office through UNOSAT and Strategic Implementation of the Agenda 2030  units. With UNOSAT the focus is on human security and conflict mapping and monitoring of cultural heritage. This will be done in close coordination between UNOSAT Geneva and UNOSAT New York. Various e-learning solutions may also benefit from a presence in Bonn, in particular linked to climate and environmental issues. The Agenda 2030 Unit will focus on UNSDG:Learn in collaboration with the UN Systems Staff College, based in Bonn, as well as collaboration on statistics. In addition, various potential research activities with EC projects could be carried out in close collaboration with SCYCLE.

Moreover, the UNITAR Bonn office shall serve as an easy entry point for the other UN organizations and players based in Bonn and Germany. It shall take over research and trainings outsourced from other UN organization

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Bonn Office

UN Campus, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Tel: +49-228-815 0214/3 | Fax : +49-228-815 0296

General inquiries: [email protected]

Head of Office: Mr. Frank Borchers