Diplomatic training

Several initiatives are in place to support capacity-building in negotiation and other diplomatic skills in LDCs:

• UNITAR has fellowships for nationals of LDCs to participate in its Multilateral Diplomacy Programme and core diplomatic training courses, and has special thematic courses and toolkits for LDCs;
• The Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the Work of the Human Rights Council (SIDS/LDCs Trust Fund) provides funding for training courses and capacity-building activities on the international human rights system, international human rights law and the rules and functioning of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms; fellowships for 3-month work placements relating to the work of the HRC; and induction sessions and practical training for government officials of LDCs and SIDS, as well as support for travel to the sessions of the HRC. 
• The LDCF (Least Developed Countries Fund; climate change) has funded programmes to build capacity of LDCs to participate effectively in climate change processes, including training of senior government officials, development of negotiation strategies and knowledge products (see, for example, Becoming a UNFCCC delegate: what you need to know (PDF), 2018).  The LDC Group maintains a list of resources for LDC climate change negotiators.
• The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) supports the LDC Group with on-demand legal, strategic and technical advice in climate negotiations.
• For information on technical assistance and capacity building related to trade negotiations and the WTO, see Trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building | LDC Portal - International Support Measures for Least Developed Countries.