The General Assembly supports the creation of a new UN learning institution under the UN80 reforms

In the a resolution adopted on Thursday, the 193-member Assembly supported integration of the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) into the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and approved the establishment of the United Nations Institute for Capability and Learning Innovation (UNICLI) starting January 1 2027.

The decision is part of a broader one UN80 Initiativewhich aims to make the UN more coherent, effective and responsive to today’s challenges.

The new institute will combine UNITAR’s work in helping governments, diplomats and public institutions build skills and capacity with the UNSC’s expertise in training, leadership development and knowledge sharing for UN personnel.

“Member States and the UN system face increasingly complex and interconnected challenges. The UN must continue to evolve, building stronger capabilities, encouraging innovation and increasing institutional effectiveness to turn global commitments into tangible results,” said Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR.

That merger will create a single platform for learning and capacity building, making it easier for Member States, UN entities and partners to access expertise and support while reducing duplication and fragmentation. Overall, these steps equip the UN system to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

“By integrating UNSC and UNITAR expertise in providing training to the UN system and Member States, the new entity will be better positioned to provide a stronger and more coherent capabilities development function,” said Miguel Panadero, Acting UNSC Director.

Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters the same day, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General welcomed the Assembly’s decision, “which recognizes that capability and development, continuous learning and innovation are not ancillary functions, but are strategic drivers of UN effectiveness and reform, and their impact on Member States.”

The UN Secretary General invited member states, UN entities, partners and all stakeholders to join “in shaping the future of the new entity and strengthening its contribution to a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient world,” he added.

This transition will be carried out in stages until the end of 2026 to ensure continuity of programs, partnerships and services. Until then, UNITAR and the UNSC will continue to operate under existing arrangements.

The new institute will be headquartered in Geneva, while Turin will continue to serve as a UN learning campus and leadership development center. Existing offices and operations in Bonn, Hiroshima, Madrid and New York will also continue.

This merger is one of the latest concrete actions taken by Member States under the UN80 Initiative, reflecting efforts to build a UN that is more agile and future-focused, and able to meet evolving global needs.