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.
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Climate Change and Security: Perspectives from the Field
Examining the issue of climate-security from the perspective of UN field offices around the world.
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The Political Practice of Peacekeeping: How Strategies for Peace Operations are Developed and Implemented
Clear, evidence-based approaches for facilitating political resolutions to conflict.
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UN Sanctions and Humanitarian Action
Exploring the impacts of UN non-counter-terrorism sanctions on humanitarian action.
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The UN Security Council and Transitional Justice
How does Security Council language reflect the Council's approach to transitional justice, and what is the impact of this approach?
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What can the UN Security Council do on Climate and Security?
Examining how climate change and security risks trigger the Security Council's mandate for action.
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Back From the Brink: UN Preventive Diplomacy in West and Central Africa
The UN’s contribution to reducing the risk of conflict-related violence in The Gambia and Gabon.
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When Dictators Fall: Preventing Violent Conflict During Transitions From Authoritarian Rule
The contrasting ways countries transition out of authoritarian rule and how the UN can influence pathways away from violence.
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The G2 at the UN: The United States and the People's Republic of China at the United Nations
US and Chinese policy and diplomacy towards the UN – and each other – in New York.
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UN Sanctions and Mediation 2.0: Moving From Evidence To Impact
Building on SMP 1.0 to influence policy and practice and bridge the gap between the sanctions and mediation communities.
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Hybrid Conflict, Hybrid Peace: How Militias and Paramilitary Groups Shape Post-Conflict Transitions
The role of PGMs in conflict and post-conflict settings and how PGMs might help or hurt prospects for sustainable peacebuilding.