Putting innovative thinking into practice
Sustainable development has been a fundamental guiding principle for the Institute since its establishment in April 1996. This policy-oriented United Nations (UN) think tank relies on applied research for the advancement of knowledge relevant to the UN. We also ensure that this knowledge is applied in the formulation of sound policies and programmes for action.

Eco–Restructuring for Sustainable Development
From 1996 to 2001, UNU-IAS’ research programme focused on the challenge of Eco-restructuring for Sustainable Development . The concept of eco–restructuring refers to the transformation of technology, economy, society, and lifestyles towards greater sustainability.

Sustainable development has been a fundamental guiding principle to the Institute since its inception in April 1996. This policy-oriented UN think tank utilizes applied research for the advancement of knowledge relevant to the work of the United Nations as well as to its application in the formulation of sound policies and programmes for action. Using multidisciplinary approaches, UNU-IAS' vibrant intellectual community acts as a vehicle for connecting international and Japanese scholars.

Response to a new global agenda
The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) , the Monterrey Consensus , the Doha Declaration and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation have created new agendas and priorities towards fairness, equity, dignity and human security for a "sustainable future". The directions and priorities set by these meetings will require new forms of partnerships, innovative approaches and hard work if they are to be achieved.

The establishment of UNU-IAS was born out of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development agenda , which is one of the guiding principles of UNU-IAS strategic plan. Our research agenda is based on policy areas defined by the UN, which revolve around issues related to sustainable development.

Dealing with a lack of practical sustainable development strategies
The implementation of sustainable development principles is often challenging due to the complexity of issues involved. As a consequence, few clear and practical strategies have been formulated for the achievement of sustainable development.

We help to bridge this gap. By conducting research on specific challenges and issues related to sustainable development, the Institute contributes to the formulation of  strategies that can make sustainable development a reality.

The Institute’s priority areas of research are:

• Biodiplomacy (encompassing issues such as access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources, biotechnology and biosafety, bioethics, traditional knowledge and agriculture in peace building),
• Education for Sustainable Development ,
• Ecosystems and People (using ecosystem approaches to provide viable solutions to natural and societal interactions),
• Sustainable Development Governance (participation of civil society and developing countries in the multilateral process / Multilateral institutions and change),
• Science Policy for Sustainable Development , and
• Urban Futures.

UNU-IAS also hosts two special programmes :

Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre (IICRC) : The Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre implements projects to develop and promote international cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and culture in cooperation with the Ishikawa Prefecture Government of Japan and the City of Kanazawa, Japan. IICRC aims to provide local input into UNU’s sustainable development and international cooperation efforts. Research is focused on the management of fragile ecosystems, especially the conservation and sustainable use of traditional rural landscapes, and their ecological, social, cultural and economic aspects in Asia, Europe, Africa. and Oceania.

Call of the Earth (COE) : Call of the Earth Llamado de la Tierra: Indigenous Wisdom for Sustaining Livelihoods, Cultures and Environments is an independent, international Indigenous Peoples' initiative on cultural and intellectual property policy. Call of the Earth Llamado de la Tierra (COE) is independently financed, with UNU-IAS acting as the host institution. The project brings together leading indigenous experts in cultural and intellectual property from around the world. It aims to provide support for indigenous peoples' efforts to participate more substantively and meaningfully in the international intellectual property policy arena, to help reframe the policy discussion on intellectual and indigenous knowledge, and to contribute to ensuring that indigenous communities are able to both protect their intellectual creations and benefit from them.