By Nabila Ben Shaban

On June 20, 2025, the Young Diplomats Forum embarked on a comprehensive educational trip to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), The students were accompanied by their Club Co-Patron, Chris Barak. The UNON, as one of the four major UN headquarters globally and the only one in Africa and the Global South, served as an ideal setting for students to immerse themselves in the practical application of international diplomacy.

The visit commenced with a detailed exploration of the principal organs of the United Nations, offering students a foundational understanding of the interconnected system that governs international peace, security, and development. The tour focused on the two critical UN entities headquartered at UNON the UNEP and the Un-Habitat , highlighting Nairobi's central role in global environmental and human settlements governance. The students learned about the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established in 1972, which serves as the leading global environmental authority. UNEP's mandate is to set the international environmental agenda, promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development, and act as a powerful advocate for the global environment.

And the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and ensure adequate shelter for all. Established in 1978, UN-Habitat addresses the pressing challenges of rapid urbanization, including the growth of slums, inadequate infrastructure, and urban poverty.

This educational trip provided the Young Diplomats Forum members with a tangible connection to the principles and functions of the United Nations. By experiencing the UNON firsthand and delving into the specifics of UNEP and UN-Habitat, they gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of international cooperation and the critical efforts undertaken from Nairobi to address some of the world's most pressing environmental and urban development challenges.