Latest news with #UNITAR
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Justice ministry, UNITAR partner to deliver advanced legal training programme
DOHA: The Ministry of Justice has signed an agreement with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to organise an advanced training programme aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the legal sector in the State of Qatar. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice HE Saeed bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, and UNITAR Executive Director Michelle Gyles-McDonnough signed the deal. The programme 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 prioritizes 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
4 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's Permanent Mission in Geneva honours winner of 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year' award
GENEVA: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva has organised an official ceremony at the Mission's headquarters to honour Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan for winning the 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year' Award, which is awarded annually by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in recognition of outstanding contributions to international negotiation and mediation. In her speech at the ceremony, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office and other international organisations in Geneva HE Dr Hend bint Abdalrahman Al Muftah welcomed the attendees, including ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations, as well as officials from the UNITAR and the ADN Group, an international agency specializing in negotiation. She said that the 2024 award is special to the State of Qatar, as it has been named the 'Doha Best Negotiator of the Year' Award, given its announcement during the Doha World Negotiation Day, hosted by the UNITAR and the ADN Group, in partnership with the Doha Forum. Organising this ceremony falls within the framework of the State of Qatar's commitment to promoting a culture of negotiation, mediation, and peaceful solutions, she added, noting that these principles constitute fundamental pillars of Qatari foreign policy. She further added that the award aims to honor individuals who effectively contribute to resolving international conflicts and finding humane, just, and sustainable settlements. Over the past two decades, the State of Qatar has acted as a neutral, reliable, and responsible mediator, and has achieved a remarkable record of successes in dozens of regional and international issues, including establishing ceasefires, restoring diplomatic relations, releasing hostages, exchanging prisoners, paving the way for national dialogue, resolving border disputes, achieving humanitarian outcomes, and concluding peace agreements in numerous regional and global conflicts, she said. She also commended the career of Grynspan who deserved the award for her pivotal role in the Istanbul agreements, including the Black Sea Initiative, which facilitated the export of millions of tons of grain and food supplies from Ukraine, helping to support global food security and reduce famine in low-income countries. Commending Grynspan's commitment to ethical standards, to protecting human rights, and to environmental considerations in the negotiation process, she emphasized that these values ​​represent the essence of effective diplomacy. The Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva paid tribute to negotiators around the world who dedicate their efforts to achieving peace and saving lives, despite the grave challenges they face. She affirmed that Qatar will remain an effective international partner in supporting mediation and peaceful solutions. For her part, Grynspan conveyed her profound gratitude to the State of Qatar for this honor, affirming her commitment to continuing to work for a fair and comprehensive diplomacy that serves humanity and supports global stability.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From discard to design: How brands are embracing sustainable electronics
In an era where the life cycle of gadgets is shrinking as fast as our attention spans, the pile of electronic waste or e-waste, is growing at an alarming pace. In 2022, the world generated a staggering 62 million tonnes of e-waste, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, a report 1 by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Of this, only 22.3% was properly collected and recycled. India, the third-largest generator of e-waste globally, produced around 1.1 million tonnes, and the figure is expected to grow exponentially as smartphone, appliance, and electric vehicle usage continues to surge. But amid this grim data lies a flicker of innovation: a design revolution that's quietly reshaping how electronic devices are built and rebuilt. Designing for disassembly Gone are the days when sleek gadgets were sealed shut, their insides inaccessible without professional intervention. Today, more brands are adopting Design for Disassembly (DfD), an approach that enables products to be taken apart easily for repair, reuse, or recycling. This shift is driven not just by environmental concerns but also by growing consumer demand for more durable, repairable products. Tech companies, particularly in Europe and North America, are increasingly embracing modular design, where individual parts like batteries, screens, and cameras can be replaced without trashing the whole device. Even India is catching up. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has begun exploring circular design guidelines 2 , while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is tightening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms 3 , nudging brands to take ownership of a product's post-consumer phase. Sustainable materials, smarter choices Eco-conscious design isn't limited to modularity. Manufacturers are also rethinking the materials they use. Recycled aluminium, bio-plastics, reclaimed rare-earth metals, these are slowly becoming part of the electronics lexicon. Take circuit boards, for instance. Once deemed unrecyclable due to their composite materials, companies are now experimenting with biodegradable substrates and non-toxic soldering agents. Even packaging is undergoing a green makeover, with many firms switching to plastic-free, compostable alternatives. Closing the loop with circularity The big idea behind these design shifts is circularity, keeping materials in use for as long as possible. Startups and giants alike are launching take-back programmes, incentivising users to return old devices for refurbishing or recycling. Some firms are going a step further by integrating traceability tech like blockchain to map a gadget's life cycle from cradle to grave. What's particularly exciting is how sustainability is no longer a niche concern. It's becoming central to product strategy, thanks to informed consumers and a rising ecosystem of green design engineers and circularity consultants. Sustainability is no longer just about waste management, it's about smart, elegant design that balances performance with the planet. The India opportunity India's challenge is unique: a booming electronics market with relatively low awareness of formal e-waste disposal. A 2022 study by the Central Pollution Control Board revealed that over 90% of e-waste in India is processed by the informal sector, often in unsafe, unregulated conditions 4 . This not only harms the environment but also endangers workers' health. To address this, public-private partnerships are essential. They can bridge the gap between awareness and action, especially in urban centres where consumption is highest. A step in the right direction One such initiative is Project E-Waste, a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz India and SACH India, aimed at creating awareness and driving responsible e-waste disposal practices. While just a drop in the ocean, such efforts are crucial in shifting mindsets and setting benchmarks for other stakeholders to follow. In the end, the path from discard to design is not just about innovation. It's about intention. In a world hurtling towards tech-saturation, the most futuristic gadget may well be the one that knows how to deconstruct itself. References:
