From 21 October to 29 November 2024, the United Nations Headquarters in New York hosted a pivotal 6-week capacity-building programme specifically designed for civil servants from the State of Palestine. Organized by the Division for Palestinian Rights under the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), this annual event coincided with the dynamic sessions of the 79th General Assembly, offering participants a unique and immersive learning experience.
Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ramallah, Ms. Faten Itayem and Ms. Nermin Ghanayem engaged deeply with critical topics such as peace and security, multilateral negotiations, and pressing global developments shaping the UN’s agenda. The program offered unique insights into both the formal and informal processes of the General Assembly, fostering a practical understanding of international diplomacy.
The programme featured a series of specialized courses facilitated by prominent entities such as UN Women, The One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership, UNITAR, and the UN Library. This diverse curriculum allowed the trainees to interact directly with various divisions of DPPA, other Secretariat offices, UN agencies, and regional organizations, enriching their understanding and network.
The program also featured high-level engagements, including a meeting with Ambassador Cheikh Niang, Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which underscored the importance of their contributions to international dialogue. The training concluded with a certificate ceremony led by Mr. Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, marking the culmination of this enriching experience (pictured above).