The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was established on the basis of a General Assembly resolution of December 1963 as an autonomous institution within the framework of the United Nations for the purpose of enhancing, by the performance of its training and research functions, the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving the major objectives of the Organization, in particular the maintenance of peace and security and the promotion of economic and social development. A large part of the Institute's training and research activities is, therefore, meant to respond to the needs of the developing countries, including those in Africa, either directly or through the improvement of the United Nations capabilities for this purpose.