6 June 2012: The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)/UN CC:Learn has joined the UN Inter-Agency Committee for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), which was established to ensure harmonious international coordination of the DESD.

The objectives of the DESD are to integrate the principles, values and practices of sustainable development into education and learning, in recognition of the need for appropriate knowledge and skills to achieve the transition to a green economy and society. By joining the group, UNITAR/UN CC:Learn will help to link the activities of the Committee to its specialized work, such as the UN CC:Learn “Pilot Projects to Strengthen Human Resources and Skills to Address Climate Change,” and the compilation of a One UN Package of learning.

The Committee currently includes: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN University (UNU), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The One UN Training Service Platform on Climate Change (UN CC:Learn) is a collaborative initiative involving 32 UN agencies that supports member States, UN agencies and other development partners in designing and implementing country-driven, results-oriented and sustainable learning to address climate change. The UN CC:Learn Secretariat is serviced by the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). [UN CC:Learn Press Release]