The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutes comprising the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. Established in 1996 through an agreement with the Government of Canada, UNU-INWEH is headquartered in the City of Richmond Hill, Ontario.
UNU-INWEH specializes in addressing critical global security and development challenges at the intersection of water, environment, and health. Through research, capacity development, policy engagement, and knowledge dissemination, the institute bridges the gap between scientific evidence and the practical needs of policymakers and UN member states, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries. By collaborating with a diverse array of partners—including UN agencies, governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society—UNU-INWEH develops solutions that advance human security, resilience, and sustainability worldwide.
The institute operates under a robust governance framework. As a UNU institute, UNU-INWEH is managed by the Director, who reports to the UNU Rector, an Under-Secretary-General of the UN. The organization is governed by the UNU Council, which reports annually to the UN General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council. An International Advisory Committee (IAC), comprising world-renowned experts in environmental science and policy, provides strategic guidance to the institute.
Professor Kaveh Madani, a globally recognized environmental scientist and former Vice President of the United Nations Environment Assembly Bureau, currently serves as the Director of UNU-INWEH. The institute's International Advisory Board is chaired by Alexandra Bugailiskis, a distinguished Canadian diplomat and Canada’s former Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP, and IFAD.
UNU-INWEH’s work is driven by a diverse, impact-driven team of leading researchers, educators, and professionals, collaborating across disciplines to create science-based solutions that enhance prosperity, health, and harmony between humans and nature.
As the "UN’s Think Tank on Water," UNU-INWEH represents UNU in UN-Water, a coordination mechanism comprising United Nations entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues.
Through its five strategic program areas, UNU-INWEH supports decision-makers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that evidence-based policies drive meaningful impact for communities worldwide.
About UNU-INWEH
Advancing Water, Environmental, and Health Solutions for Global Impact
