Prof. Dr. Govindan PARAYIL Director of the UNU Institute of Advanced Studies Vice-Rector of the United Nations University

In the current turmoil gripping the global economy, ensuring sustainable development has become a challenge of even greater proportions with the world’s most vulnerable now at greater risk of sinking deeper into poverty. Spanning the last decade, the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) has tackled key sustainability issues of global concern - particularly those on the UN agenda such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

It is, therefore, with high expectations that I have taken on the position of the Director of UNU-IAS from the beginning of 2009. In this capacity, I look forward to expanding the valuable work of UNU-IAS in the areas of interlinked issues in sustainability with a focus on development and global poverty concerns. I look forward to working effectively with my colleagues and partners to make UNU-IAS one of the world’s leading institutes of advanced studies in sustainable development.

In the coming years, UNU-IAS will continue to build on its strengths and advantages, which include an expansive global network of renowned scholars, actionable policy-oriented research within a transdisciplinary framework, strong links to a variety of local, public and private partners, long-standing connections to intergovernmental processes, well-established postgraduate education and capacity development programmes, and proven fund raising dynamism.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Prof. A. H. Zakri, for his dedicated service during his eight year tenure at the UNU-IAS. We will build on the initiatives that he brought on board in sustainability studies. In this light, I look forward to working with colleagues at and friends of UNU-IAS, as well as exploring new opportunities with partners in Japan and internationally, especially as we chart our way forward to developing UNU-IAS’ degree-giving capacity in the field of sustainability studies.