UNU research focuses on the challenges faced by the United Nations and its Member States. Our current research portfolio supports all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to inspire global action to overcome the world’s biggest challenges.
Project
Design and Evaluation of Innovation Policy in Developing Countries (DEIP)
The DEIP trains policymakers in LMICs and private-sector participants on strategic decision-making about technology and innovation.
Project
MEIDE (Micro Evidence on Innovation and Development)
MEIDE is a yearly international conference on the topic of micro evidence on innovation and development organized by UNU-MERIT and partners.
Project
UNU Global Seminar Japan — Shonan Session
The UNU Global Seminars brings together experts from academia and policymaking in Japan and abroad to share perspectives on global concerns.
Series
Seed Projects
UNU‑EGOV explores emerging initiatives to create innovative ideas and validate their potential before moving to later development stages.
Collection
Global Water Bankruptcy
Living Beyond our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era
Series
Impact
Impact from UNU work
Collection
Accelerating Progress on the Water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus in Sub-saharan Africa
Inter-Agency Policy Brief – December 2025
Collection
THE DROUGHT-MIGRATION- CONFLICT NEXUS Was the Syrian Civil War Really Caused by Climate Change?
Investigating how climate stress, agriculture, and governance shaped Syria’s crisis beyond a single drought event.
Series
Visiting Fellows (UNU-CRIS)
Visiting Fellows are “fellows-in-residence” who participate in the activities of UNU-CRIS.
Collection
Gender Imbalance: Progress and Challenges in Achieving Gender-Inclusive Representation in Global Environmental Governance
Inclusive representation is key to effective environmental governance, addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation with diverse perspectives and solutions.