UNITAR Green Economic Acceleration Programme 2026 for ASEAN Professionals | Fully Funded Sustainable Green Finance Training in Japan

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has officially launched applications for the Green Economic Acceleration: A Japan–ASEAN Strategic Programme for Sustainable Green Finance, a prestigious fully funded regional training programme designed to strengthen sustainable finance leadership and green economic transformation across ASEAN countries.

Supported by the Government and the People of Japan, the programme will equip government officials, private-sector professionals, entrepreneurs, and sustainability leaders with practical knowledge and advanced skills in sustainable finance, green investment, carbon markets, energy transition, and climate-related economic development.

The programme will run from July 2026 to March 2027 through a three-phase learning structure that combines online learning, advanced thematic training, expert mentoring, project development, and an international summit in Japan.

Participation in the programme is completely free of charge.

About the UNITAR Green Economic Acceleration Programme

The Green Economic Acceleration Programme is a strategic Japan-ASEAN initiative created to strengthen regional cooperation in:

• Sustainable finance
• Green economic growth
• Climate resilience
• Clean energy investment
• Carbon market development
• Green infrastructure
• Environmental sustainability

The programme aims to support professionals in ASEAN countries to develop practical, bankable green economy projects capable of driving sustainable development and regional economic resilience.

Participants will engage in a highly interactive learning experience featuring:

• Self-paced online learning
• Expert-led sessions
• International peer exchange
• Mentorship opportunities
• Capstone project development
• Networking with Japanese institutions and industry leaders

The programme is organized by UNITAR, the dedicated training arm of the United Nations, known globally for strengthening institutional and individual capacities through high-quality training and innovative learning initiatives.

Programme Duration and Structure

The programme will take place between:

July 2026 – March 2027

It is divided into three progressively selective phases.

Phase I: Online Learning Programme

Duration:

July to September 2026

The first phase is open to all accepted participants.

During this stage, participants will complete self-paced online learning focused on:

• Sustainable finance
• Green economy systems
• Climate-related economic transformation
• Japan-ASEAN green cooperation

Activities Include:

• Online learning modules
• Expert webinars
• Interactive peer discussions
• Participation in an online learning community
• Submission of an early-stage capstone project idea

This phase is designed to provide foundational understanding and practical exposure to sustainable economic development strategies.

Phase II: Advanced Thematic Training and Expert Mentoring

Duration:

October to December 2026

Only the top 200 performing participants from Phase I will advance to this stage.

Participants will receive specialized advanced training in one of four major thematic tracks:

Thematic Areas:

1. Energy Transition
2. Carbon Markets and Emission Trading
3. Sustainable Banking and Green Fintech
4. Green Transformation Policy

Activities Include:

• Advanced expert-led training
• Peer-to-peer collaboration
• Mentorship from sustainability specialists
• Development of practical green finance projects
• Capstone refinement and strategic project planning

This phase focuses heavily on helping participants transform their ideas into practical and investable green economy solutions.

Phase III: Japan-ASEAN Green Investment Summit in Japan

Date:

February 2027

The top 50 participants from Phase II will be selected to travel to Japan for the prestigious Japan-ASEAN Green Investment Summit.

This phase provides participants with international exposure and direct engagement opportunities with Japanese institutions, investors, and sustainability stakeholders.

Summit Activities Include:

• Project presentations and pitching sessions
• Networking with industry leaders
• Engagement with Japanese institutions
• Study visits to enterprises in Japan
• Partnership-building opportunities
• Investment-focused discussions

The summit represents a major opportunity for participants to showcase their green economy project ideas before international stakeholders.

What Participants Will Learn

By the end of the programme, participants will gain advanced expertise and practical skills in multiple areas of sustainable development and green finance.

Key Learning Outcomes Include:

1. Green Finance and Investment Skills

Participants will learn how to:

• Design bankable green economy projects
• Develop advanced financing structures
• Mobilize sustainable investment
• Create climate finance solutions

2. Climate Policy and Technical Expertise

Participants will strengthen their understanding of:

• Climate policy frameworks
• Carbon markets
• Sustainable infrastructure
• Regional and global sustainability standards

3. Leadership and Regional Collaboration

The programme also develops:

• Strategic leadership skills
• Cross-border collaboration capabilities
• Regional partnership-building expertise
• Japan-ASEAN cooperation strategies

Programme Assignments and Expectations

Participants are expected to actively engage throughout the programme.

Assignments Include:

Phase I

• Complete all online modules
• Submit an early-stage capstone project proposal

Phase II

• Improve and expand the capstone project
• Participate in mentoring and peer-learning sessions

Phase III

• Present and pitch the project during the Japan-ASEAN Green Investment Summit

Who Can Apply?

The programme welcomes applicants from ASEAN countries working in government, finance, sustainability, and related sectors.

Eligible Applicants Include:

Government Officials

Professionals working in ministries or agencies related to:

• Finance
• Economy
• Energy
• Environment
• Trade
• Sustainable development
• Planning

Private-Sector Professionals

Applicants from industries such as:

• Banking
• Fintech
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability
• Energy
• Technology
• Investment
• Consulting
• Industry
• Project development

Preferred Areas of Experience

Applicants with experience or strong interest in the following fields are especially encouraged to apply:

• Energy transition
• Carbon markets
• Emission trading
• Sustainable banking
• Green fintech
• Green transformation policy
• Climate finance
• Public-private partnerships

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be from an ASEAN country
• Demonstrate interest or experience in sustainable development fields
• Be proficient in English
• Have reliable internet access
• Be computer literate
• Be willing to participate fully in programme activities
• Commit to completing all assignments and learning requirements

Certificates and Recognition

Participants who successfully complete Phase I will receive a:

Certificate of Completion

Participants advancing to later phases will receive additional certificates based on their participation.

Financial Coverage

The programme is offered:

Completely Free of Charge

Thanks to financial support from the Government and People of Japan.

Selected Phase III participants traveling to Japan will benefit from international exposure and summit participation opportunities.

Why This Programme Matters

As ASEAN countries continue transitioning toward greener economies, there is growing demand for professionals capable of designing innovative sustainable finance and climate investment solutions.

This programme provides a rare opportunity to:

• Gain practical green finance expertise
• Develop internationally relevant sustainability skills
• Collaborate with regional and Japanese experts
• Build investable green projects
• Expand professional networks across ASEAN and Japan
• Strengthen leadership in climate and sustainability sectors

For professionals interested in climate finance, energy transition, carbon markets, and sustainable economic transformation, this programme offers a valuable platform for long-term career growth and regional impact.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

30 June 2026 (11:59 p.m. JST / UTC+9)

Late submissions may not be accepted.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply online through the official UNITAR application portal.

Apply Here

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About UNITAR

Established in 1965, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the training and capacity-building arm of the United Nations.

UNITAR works globally to strengthen skills, institutional capacity, and leadership for sustainable development through innovative learning programmes, partnerships, and professional training initiatives aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For more global Fellowship opportunities click here