Latest news with #UnitedNationsInstituteforTrainingandResearch
Qatar Tribune
6 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.
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:
National News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Army chief broaches general situation with Egyptian Ambassador, receives UNITAR delegation, former minister Makary
NNA – Lebanon's Army Commander, General Rodolphe Haykal, on Thursday received at his Yarzeh office, Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, accompanied by the Military Attaché, Brigadier General Amr Abdel Karim Eid Muhammad. The discussion reportedly addressed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, and the cooperation relations between the armies of the two countries. Maj. Gen. Haykal also received the Director of the Peace Division of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Evariste Karambizi, and the Director of the Institute's Diplomatic Division, Rabih Haddad, with discussions reportedly touching on ways to support the army. The Army Commander later received respectively former Minister Ziad Makary, and the President of Caritas Lebanon, Father Michel Abboud. Discussions focused on various issues. ==================== L.Y
