The UNU Council is composed of 12 appointed members (who serve in an individual capacity, not as representatives of their countries), the UNU Rector, and three ex officio members (the UN Secretary-General, the UNESCO Director-General and the UNITAR Executive Director). The UNU Council is responsible, inter alia, for devising the principles and policies that govern the University’s operations, and for considering and approving the UNU budget and work programme.
The UNU Council currently holds two regular sessions per year. It reports annually to the UN General Assembly, the UN Economic and Social Council, and the Executive Board of UNESCO.