United Nations creates Institute for Training and Research
On 3 September 2026, the General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the merger of UNSSC into the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and establishing the United Nations Institute for Capability and Learning Innovation (UNICLI).
The new entity, expected to begin operations on 1 January 2027, will bring together the complementary strengths of UNITAR’s leadership in training and capacity-development for Member States, diplomats and institutions, and UNSSC’s expertise in learning, leadership development and knowledge management for United Nations (UN) personnel. Together, these strengths will create a more coherent and impactful platform to support national implementation, strengthen public sector capabilities and improve UN system performance.
Why are UNITAR and UNSSC merging?
The merger forms part of the broader UN80 Initiative, which seeks to enhance coherence, effectiveness, and performance of the United Nations system.
It represents an important step in enhancing how the United Nations supports Member States in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The decision responds to a rapidly changing global environment in which Member States and the United Nations system face increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, including rising inequality and slow progress toward the SDGs, geopolitical fragmentation and conflict, humanitarian crises, climate change and environmental degradation, technological disruption, and institutional capacity gaps. Addressing these challenges requires individuals and institutions to learn continuously, develop new skills and capabilities, use data and technology responsibly, translate knowledge into practical action, and adapt to changing circumstances.
The future United Nations Institute for Capability and Learning Innovation is designed to meet this need by providing a more coherent, agile, and forward-looking platform for learning, capability development, and institutional transformation.
For UNITAR and UNSSC, the merger marks the beginning of a new chapter, bringing together complementary mandates, strong institutional legacies, and a shared commitment to strengthening the capacities of people and institutions to deliver meaningful and sustainable results.