1. CIFAL Shanghai
CIFAL Shanghai, established in 2004, is one of the first training centers established by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) globally. The CIFAL Global Network of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research consists of 31 CIFAL centers for local leaders, covering Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, ensuring global coverage. Each CIFAL center provides innovative training and serves as a hub for knowledge exchange between government officials, the private sector, and social organizations.
CIFAL Shanghai of UNITAR focuses on providing training and organizing seminars for professionals in China and the Asia Pacific region, covering multiple fields including but not limited to international trade, economic development, environmental protection, public management, and the application of new technologies. Through these activities, CIFAL Shanghai is committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of participants and promoting international cooperation and exchange.
As an international cooperation institution of UNITAR, CIFAL Shanghai also collaborates with other units within the United Nations system, international organizations, governments, and the private sector to carry out research projects and policy dialogues, aiming to provide innovative solutions to global problems. Through these efforts, CIFAL Shanghai not only provides learning opportunities for participants, but also contributes to promoting regional and global sustainable development.
CIFAL Shanghai is operated by the Shanghai Asia Pacific Economic and Information Technology Talent Training Center (SAPTC).
2. Background
In April 2002, Mr. Marcel Boisard, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, wrote a letter to the leaders of Shanghai, hoping to participate in the third Asia Pacific City Informatization Forum (referred to as the Asia Pacific Forum, predecessor of the Global City Informatization Forum), and successfully hold a "Special Session on City Informatization and Sustainable Development" during the forum.
On October 29-31, 2003, UNITAR and Shanghai successfully held the Asia Pacific Preparatory Meeting for the Second World Local Government Information Society Summit, laying a solid foundation for further cooperation between the two sides. UNITAR has shown great interest and recognition in Shanghai's resources and capabilities and has expressed interest in further cooperation with Shanghai to establish an international training center in Shanghai - as a member of CIFAL Global Network (CGN) of UNITAR.
In May 2004, UNITAR reached an agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Government to establish CIFAL Shanghai.
On February 21-25, 2005, UNITAR successfully held a mayoral training course on city informatization in Shanghai. At the same time, UNITAR officially became one of the organizers of the Asia Pacific Urban Informatization Forum. After consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office has officially replied (Hu Fu Wai Ban Zong [2005] No. 1165) to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Information Technology, approving the establishment of the "Shanghai Asia Pacific Informatization Talent Training Center" (now renamed as the Shanghai Asia Pacific Economic and Informatization Talent Training Center) in cooperation between the Regional Cooperation Office for City Informatization (RCOCI) and UNITAR.
Note: RCOCI was established on September 1, 2000, as a permanent office of the Asia Pacific Forum Cooperation Committee, in accordance with the Shanghai Declaration adopted by the first Asia Pacific Forum.