About the United Nations University (UNU)

New insights and solutions for our impact on the world

United Nations University (UNU) studies human activities and the way in which we are altering the world, with a particular emphasis on the concerns and needs of developing countries.

UNU was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to be an international community of scholars engaged in research, advanced training, and the dissemination of knowledge related to pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare.

UNU activities focus mainly on peace and governance, environment and sustainable development, and science and technology in relation to human welfare.

UNU operates through a worldwide network of research and postgraduate training centres, with its planning and coordinating headquarters in Tokyo. As a result, UNU is strikingly different in structure and mode of operation from a conventional campus-based university.

UNU Centre - a global educational network for improved human well-being

UNU Centre in Tokyo coordinates the overall research, capacity development, dissemination, and networking activities of the University and maintains close contact with the United Nations system.

Contact Information for the UNU Center

UNU Research and Training Centres and Programmes

In addition to UNU Institute of Advanced Studies in Tokyo, there are fourteen other research and training centres and programmes around the world.

Contact Information for the UNU Research and Training Centres and Programmes