On 15th June 2022, UNITAR, BAU Global and their Academic Partner, MLA College officially inaugurated CIFAL – City of London. Alderman Vincent Keaveny, the Mayor, City of London/City of London Corporation welcomed Mr. Nikhil Seth Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Organization, Executive Director, UNITAR and Mr. Alexander Mejia, Director of UNITAR’s Division for People and Social Inclusion, and Head of the CIFAL Global Network, to Guildhall, City of London
CIFAL City of London is part of an international network of 25 UNITAR affiliated centres which make up the CIFAL Global Network (CGN). The vision for CIFAL City of London is to support local, regional and national leaders in acquiring skills that would allow them to advance sustainable development in their communities and ultimately improve the quality of life of their citizens. CIFAL City of London will specialise in sustainable transportation, with a particular focus on training for the maritime sector as well as Social inclusion, Gender equality, Environmental sustainability, Maritime-related affairs.
Lord Mayor of London Vincent Keaveny said: “We are delighted to welcome the first CIFAL centre in the UK to London. Like its counterparts around the world, it will play a significant role in the transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy, here in the UK and beyond.

“The centre will be a beacon of knowledge, helping to drive progress on issues such as sustainable transportation, gender equality and environmental sustainability, while its focus on maritime-related affairs is very apt given London’s long history as one of the centres of world shipping.”

The newly appointed Director of CIFAL City of London, Professor Basak Akdemir, who is also the CEO of MLA College, the academic partner for the CIFAL (MLA College’s Bachelors’ degrees and Masters’ degrees specialise in Sustainability and Maritime education), said: “I now have the great honour and privilege of becoming the Executive Director of CIFAL City of London, the city being one of the world’s most prominent centres of influence on the world economy”.
CIFAL – City of London will specialise in sustainable transportation, with a particular focus on training for the maritime sector as well as social inclusion, gender equality, environmental sustainability and maritime related affairs.