UNU-IAS Statute

The Statute of UNU-IAS was adopted by the Council of the United Nations University at its 61st session in May 2014.


Preamble
ARTICLE I. LEGAL STATUS, STRUCTURE AND LOCATION
ARTICLE II. PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES
ARTICLE III. ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND AUTONOMY
ARTICLE IV. BOARD
ARTICLE V. DIRECTOR OF UNU-IAS
ARTICLE VI. PERSONNEL, FELLOWS AND TRAINEES OF THE UNU-IAS
ARTICLE VII. OPERATING UNITS
ARTICLE VIII. FINANCE AND BUDGET
ARTICLE IX. PUBLICATIONS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
ARTICLE X. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
ARTICLE XI. REVIEW
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION
ARTICLE XIV. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

PREAMBLE

THE COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY

REAFFIRMING in the terms of its Charter that the United Nations University shall be an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate training and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;

REAFFIRMING that the University shall devote its work to pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare;

CONSIDERING that the University shall function through a central programming and coordinating body and a network of research and postgraduate training centres and programmes to be established or incorporated in the developed and developing countries by decision of the Council;

CONSIDERING that the programmes of the institutions of the University shall include, among other subjects, peaceful relations between states and the maintenance of peace and security, human rights, economic social change and development, the environment and the proper use of resources, basic scientific research and the application of the results of science and technology in the interests of development;

CONSIDERING that the University shall include a certain number of research and training centres and programmes to be established or incorporated in various countries by decision of the Council;

CONSIDERING that the Council at its 42nd session in December 1995, decided to establish the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) as a research and training centre of the University;

CONSIDERING that the Council at its 55th session in December 2008, decided to establish the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) as a research and training centre of the University;

CONSIDERING that the Council at its 59th session in April 2013 decided to merge the UNU-IAS and UNU-ISP;

HEREBY decides to rename the merged UNU-IAS and the UNU-ISP as the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability which shall carry out its work as stipulated hereunder:

ARTICLE I

LEGAL STATUS, STRUCTURE AND LOCATION

  1. The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (hereinafter referred to as the “UNU-IAS”) shall be an integral part of the United Nations University.
  2. The UNU-IAS as an integral part of the University shall have the legal status necessary for the realization of its purposes and activities; it shall, in particular, have the capacity to enter into agreements, contracts or arrangements, acquire and dispose of immovable and movable property, and institute legal proceedings.
  3. The UNU-IAS and its academic and administrative personnel, fellows and trainees, as well as persons attending the UNU-IAS on official business, shall enjoy the privileges, immunities and facilities which may be required for the proper exercise of the functions conferred on them by this Statute, or by virtue of decisions taken thereunder by the appropriate organs of the UNU-IAS. The scope of such privileges, immunities and facilities shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement concluded between the United Nations and the Government of Japan.
  4. The UNU-IAS shall consist of:
    1. a Board;
    2. a Director; and
    3. academic and administrative personnel, fellows and trainees.
  5. The UNU-IAS shall be located within the Headquarters Building of the University at 53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan, and at the site of each operating unit.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES

  1. The primary purpose of the UNU-IAS shall be to undertake research, postgraduate teaching and training, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge to meet the pressing challenges for achieving sustainability that are of concern to the United Nations and its Member States.
  2. Specifically, the UNU-IAS shall:
    1. conduct research, undertake education, training and capacity development, and facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and information on sustainability, reflecting its social, economic and environmental dimensions;
    2. contribute to the development and strengthening of policies at the local, national, regional and international levels that will lead to achieving sustainability;
    3. undertake the study of institutional and societal, multilateral responses to emerging concerns, and assessment of the performance of organizations in fulfilling regional and global responsibilities;
    4. provide educational opportunities for postgraduate students and professionals to obtain a wide and integrated understanding of issues related to sustainability, in order for them to play a leading role in academic, public and private institutions as well as the United Nations and other international organizations; and
    5. do and perform all other acts that may be considered necessary, suitable and proper for the attainment of any or all of its purposes.

ARTICLE III

ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND AUTONOMY

The UNU-IAS shall enjoy, within the framework of Article II paragraph 1 of the Charter of the University, the academic freedom and institutional autonomy required for the achievement of its purposes and the conduct of its activities within the overall University programme, with particular reference to the choice of subjects and methods of research and capacity development, the selection of persons and institutions to share in its tasks, and freedom of expression.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD

  1. The Board shall be entrusted by the Council with the authority and responsibility needed for the attainment of the purposes of the UNU-IAS in accordance with the general principles, policies and criteria formulated by the Council to govern the activities of the University.
  2. The Board shall consist of:
    1. up to six members, including one member from Japan, who shall serve in their individual capacity, appointed by the Rector in consultation with the Chairman of the Council of the University, after consultation with two other members of the Council as the Chairman may designate for this purpose.
    2. the Rector of the University and the Director of the UNU-IAS who shall be ex-officio members of the Board.
  3. The Board shall be established on a broad geographical basis with due regard to major academic, scientific, economic, social and cultural trends in the world.
  4. The Board shall reflect the interdisciplinary character of the UNU-IAS and shall include persons who have experience, qualifications and recognized competence in the disciplines related to the purposes of the UNU-IAS, and young scholars.
    1. All Board members other than the ex officio members shall be appointed for four-year terms with the exception of the members of the first Board, one-third of whom shall be appointed for two-year, one-third for three-year and one-third for four-year terms respectively.
    2. A member appointed to the Board may serve continuously for not more than two consecutive four-year terms, with the exception of the members of the first Board who, irrespective of the duration of their first term, may serve continuously for a further four-year term.
  6. When the office of a Board member becomes vacant during the term of the member appointed thereto because of retirement, death, incapacity or any other cause, or when the term expires, the Rector may appoint a person for the remainder of the term or for a further term, in accordance with paragraphs 2 (a) and 7.
  7. Any subsequent Board member shall be appointed by the Rector after consultation with the Board and in accordance with paragraph 2(a).
  8. In exercising the authority entrusted to it by the Council, the Board shall:
    1. seek to ensure the attainment of the highest levels of intellectual and scientific excellence in the activities and operations of the UNU-IAS;
    2. consider and endorse the strategic plan, programme of work and budget of the UNU-IAS on the basis of proposals submitted to it by the Director for submission to the Council in accordance with Article VIII, paragraph 9.
    3. consider reports of the Director on the activities of the UNU-IAS and on the execution of its plans of work;
    4. make such recommendation to the Council as it may deem necessary or desirable for the effective functioning of the UNU-IAS;
    5. submit to the Council, through the Rector, an annual report on the work of the UNU-IAS;
    6. promote the interests of the UNU-IAS, including the identification of strategic opportunities; and
    7. establish such subsidiary bodies, as it deems necessary.
  9. The Board shall meet in regular session at least once a year and shall be convened by the Director. It shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson, and shall adopt rules of procedure, including procedures for convening special sessions, as necessary.
  10. The Board shall consider the methods of financing the UNU-IAS, including assistance with fund raising where appropriate, with a view to ensuring the effectiveness of its activities, their continuity and the autonomous character of the UNU-IAS within the framework of the University;

ARTICLE V

DIRECTOR OF UNU-IAS

  1. The Director of the UNU-IAS shall be appointed by the Rector after consultation with the Board, and in consultation with the Chairman of the Council.
  2. The Director shall normally serve for four years and shall be eligible for reappointment for one more term of up to four years. Conditions of service of the Director shall be determined by the Rector in accordance with University practices.
  3. The Director shall be the chief academic and administrative officer of the UNU-IAS and shall have overall responsibility for the direction, organization, administration and programmes of the UNU-IAS. The Director shall, inter alia:
    1. submit the strategic plan, programme of work and budget estimates of the UNU-IAS to the Board for its adoption;
    2. direct the programme of work of the UNU-IAS and authorize the expenditures provided in the budget;
    3. appoint the academic and administrative personnel, fellows and trainees of the UNU-IAS on behalf of the Rector in accordance with Article VI, paragraph 4;
    4. direct the personnel of the UNU-IAS;
    5. set up such advisory bodies as may be necessary in connection with the activities of the UNU-IAS;
    6. make, with the concurrence of the Rector, arrangements with relevant national, regional and international institutions and organizations with a view to offering and receiving services related to the activities of the UNU-IAS;
    7. coordinate the programme of work of the UNU-IAS with other components of the University and with research, training and capacity development institutions and programmes throughout the world, particularly in developing countries;
    8. collaborate with the Rector, in particular, in order to ensure the coordination of programmes of research, teaching and training and capacity development;
    9. participate in the Conference of Directors of Research and Training Centres and Programmes of the University called periodically by the Rector to review and evaluate programmes being undertaken;
    10. report to the Board in accordance with the rules of procedure on the activities of the UNU-IAS and the execution of its programme of work; and
    11. provide the necessary services to the Board.

ARTICLE VI

PERSONNEL, FELLOWS AND TRAINEES OF THE UNU-IAS

  1. The personnel of the UNU-IAS shall be selected with a view to achieving its stated purposes. The basic criteria for selection shall be the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to appropriate representation in terms of geography, social systems, cultural traditions, age and sex.
  2. The personnel of the Institute shall consist of:
    1. academic personnel; and
    2. administrative personnel;

    it being understood that the assignment to each of these categories shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the University’s statutes relating to personnel.

  3. In the performance of their duties, the Director and personnel shall not seek or receive instructions from any Government or from any other authority external to the University.
  4. The academic and administrative personnel, fellows and trainees of the UNU-IAS shall be appointed by the Director, on behalf of the Rector, in accordance with the provisions of the University Charter and with procedures approved by the Council. Such personnel shall be solely responsible to the Director in the exercise of their functions.

ARTICLE VII

OPERATING UNITS

  1. The UNU-IAS may include a certain number of operating units to be established in Japan or other countries.
  2. The Council may in consultation with the Board establish such operating units and adopt standards for their operation.

ARTICLE VIII

FINANCE AND BUDGET

  1. In accordance with the provisions of the University Charter, the University may accept voluntary contributions and gifts from governments, international, regional and national institutions and organizations, foundations and other non-governmental sources, including individuals, for all purposes related to the activities of the UNU-IAS. The Director of the UNU-IAS may also accept such voluntary contributions and gifts with the approval of the Rector.
  2. The income derived from investment of the moneys referred to in paragraph 1 shall be available for financing the activities of the UNU-IAS.
  3. Apart from the arrangements provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) and from any contributions that may be received by appropriation from the regular budget of the University, contributions and gifts to be used directly for current activities of the UNU-IAS may be accepted.
  4. The University may also receive tuition fees and related charges in relation to the postgraduate teaching programmes of the UNU-IAS.
  5. Funds received for the UNU-IAS shall be kept in a special account to be established for this purpose in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations applicable to the University.
  6. The funds of the UNU-IAS shall be held and administered by the University solely for the purposes of the UNU-IAS.
  7. The financial operations of the UNU-IAS shall be regulated by the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations applicable to the University.
  8. The Director shall prepare the budget estimates of the UNU-IAS in a manner consistent with the United Nations regulations, rules, policies and procedures applicable to the University.
  9. The budget, as adopted by the Board, shall be considered and approved by the Council as part of the programme and budget of the University.
  10. Funds administered by and for the UNU-IAS shall be subject to audit by the United Nations Board of Auditors.
  11. The general administrative, personnel and financial services of the University may be utilized by the UNU-IAS on conditions determined by the Rector.

ARTICLE IX

PUBLICATIONS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

  1. The UNU-IAS may freely publish any results of its programme activities in the fulfilment of its purposes.
  2. All rights, including title, copyright and patent rights in any work or invention produced or developed by the UNU-IAS shall be vested in the University.
  3. The University shall use such patent and other rights, and any financial or other benefits associated therewith, in furtherance of the purposes for which the UNU-IAS was established and the advancement of its interests.

ARTICLE X

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The UNU-IAS shall seek to establish cooperative relationships for the realization of its purposes and activities with leading universities in Japan and with such institutions in other parts of the world. The UNU-IAS shall also establish linkages with relevant agencies and organizations within the United Nations system, relevant national institutions and organizations in Japan, and other relevant national, regional and international institutions and organizations.

ARTICLE XI

REVIEW

A periodic review and evaluation of the work of the UNU-IAS shall be undertaken by the Rector, in consultation with the Board. The Rector shall submit the results of such review and evaluation to the Council for consideration and appropriate action.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

  1. Amendments to this Statute may be made by the Council.
  2. The Rector, at the request of the Board or after consultation with it, may propose amendments.

ARTICLE XIII

DISSOLUTION

  1. The UNU-IAS may be dissolved by a decision of the Council if it is determined that the purposes and activities of the UNU-IAS have been satisfactorily accomplished or that the UNU-IAS will no longer be able to function effectively.
  2. In the event of such dissolution, the funds and assets remaining to its accounts shall be used as the Council shall direct, except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any contribution accepted in furtherance of the activities of the UNU-IAS.

ARTICLE XIV

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Financial and other actions to initiate the operations of the UNU-IAS may be taken by the Rector under the authority of the Council.

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Adopted by the Council of the United Nations University, pursuant to Article IV, paragraph 4(b) of the Charter of the United Nations University, at its sixty-first session in May 2014 (UNU/C/61/L.9).