Research highlights
Blog Post
Protecting our oceans for future generations
The UN Ocean Conference offers a critical window to design institutions that stand the test of time.
Blog Post
The role of AI Agents in humanitarian action: balancing ethics and innovation
The humanitarian sector must proactively examine how AI agents could transform – or harm – efforts to assist vulnerable populations.
Recent publications
Working Paper
Does the United Nations need agents?
Testing the role of AI agent generated personas in humanitarian action.
Report
2025 Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security
Exploring programmatic best practices and lessons learned on youth participation in peacebuilding.
Report
Organized crime and conflict in the Central African Republic
Exploring multilateral responses to armed group involvement in illicit activities.
Brief
Operationalizing prevention
How the UN human rights system can connect early warning to action.
Brief
From signals to action
How the UN human rights system can deliver early warning and conflict prevention.
Brief
Transnational organized crime and peacekeeping: strengthening mission approaches for greater impact
A call for political strategies and operational coherence to address organized crime in UN peace operations.
Report
Revisiting the sovereign debt architecture: The Common Framework and considerations for a swift debt relief mechanism
Recommendations to improve the sovereign debt architecture ahead of upcoming multilateral processes.
Report
Towards a global governance framework: climate-driven migration
Examining research on the driving factors, patterns and consequences of climate-driven migration.
Selected projects
Project
Global Governance Innovation Platform
Exploring innovative governance structures and decision-making mechanisms for solutions to today’s complex global challenges.
Project
2025 PBF Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security
Examining how the Peacebuilding Fund has contributed to realizing the "YPS" agenda over the past five years.
Project
Supporting the Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board
Fostering active conversations and bridging the gap between the global scientific community and UN leadership.
Project
Countering transnational organized crime in conflict-affected States
Recommendations to improve the effectiveness of multilateral counter-crime initiatives in fragile States.
Expert insights
Blog Post
No second to spare: an urgent agenda for future generations
The world demands urgent, collective action to prevent catastrophic risks and ensure a livable future for coming generations.
Blog Post
Pivoting development for a new era
Leaders face diminishing levels of foreign aid. Here’s three ways they (and their partners) can look to adapt.
Blog Post
Capacity-building: a solution to the "credit rating impasse"
UN efforts to help Global South countries navigate the credit rating system could reduce debt burdens and promote development.
Blog Post
Revisiting the Peacebuilding Commission's "bridging" and advisory role
Why the Peacebuilding Architecture Review should focus on redefining the Commission's engagement with the General Assembly and other UN bodies.
News and events
News
Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs
The Declaration was endorsed by UNU and co-developed by a team of researchers at UNU-CPR.
Event
Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025
Exploring pathways to just, inclusive and forward-looking multilateralism.
News
Building the institutions of the future
New partnership with Northeastern University explores global governance innovations for a more resilient and effective multilateral system.
Symposium
A survey of designs for a new global sovereign debt mechanism
Strengthening the global debt architecture: design options for a more predictable, equitable and reliable system
