UNITAR CIFAL Jeju Statement on COVID-19

First confirmed in January, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has now spread globally, impacting global economy and altering our everyday lives. In the face of this unprecedented public health emergency, national and local governments are doing everything they can to control further spread and save more lives. We, at the UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/ Jeju International Training Center (JITC), stand in solidarity with the global efforts to fight against COVID-19, and would like to update you on how we respond to the current situation.

Due to the grave concern about the high risk of infection, we had to cancel or postpone some of our workshops that were scheduled to take place in the first half of this year. Applicants to those affected workshops have been notified accordingly. We made such a precautionary decision because we believe that the foremost priority at this time is to protect public health. We are following the national and Jeju provincial government’s guidelines to help contain the virus and protect our staff and people in the region from being exposed to the risk of getting infected.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has also expressed its deepest concern about the immediate human loss and suffering, including the most vulnerable group of people, while endorsing the UN Secretary General’s urgent call for action and following recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). UNITAR stated that although many challenges lie ahead, it is nonetheless committed to ensuring continuity of its mandate as a learning solutions provider.

Echoing the statement of UNITAR, we would like to express our gratitude to all applicants who have shown their interest in our workshops even amid the COVID-19 outbreak. It is our firm belief that the positive benefits of trainings-based cooperation and exchanges will remain unchanged. Once there is a global assurance on public health safety, we will re-announce the opening of our quality workshops.

Until then, we extend our heartfelt wish to all to be safe and well.

20 April 2020

UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/Jeju International Training Center

Ambassador Kyung Hoon SUL