The University shall devote its work to research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations and its agencies.
People — topics on improving lives of people everywhere
Planet — topics on preserving and improving our environment and natural resources
Prosperity — topics on building a sustainable and fulfilling future
Peace and partnerships — topics on fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies
News
UNU-INWEH and CU Boulder’s Mortenson Center Partner to Advance Global Water Security
The partnership brings together research and graduate education, beginning with the Open Water Quality Data Portal
Project
Theoretical and methodological advancements towards an integrated sustainability assessment framework (SustainFrame)
SustainFrame is a subproject of the CARE Cluster of Excellence, an interdisciplinary research initiative advancing resource-efficient, climate-neutral, and resilient construction systems.
Project
Resource Management Textbook
Textbook on resource management covering policy, efficiency, assessment, and stakeholder engagement; translated from German to English.
News
COP31 Sessions Build Capacity for Climate Adaptation and Negotiations
UNU-IAS delivered two practical training sessions at the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Türkiye
Person
Fatima Denton
Prof. Fatima Denton is Director of the United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) and Vice-Chair of IPCC Working Group II on Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Her research sits at the intersection of political economy, climate resilience, and development justice, with a particular focus on how extractive systems, governance failures, and unequal resource distribution embed and reproduce fragility, especially across African contexts. She holds the Prince Claus Chair in Equity and Development at Utrecht University. Directly relevant to this section, her Fragility and Resilience in Green Development in Africa: Intersections and tradeoffs and the forthcoming Operationalising Earth System Justice: Addressing Power and Inequality examine how structural and political-economic forces shape vulnerability and constrain resilience pathways.
Policy Brief
Media Coverage
Japanese High School Students Join UNU-IAS Delegation at COP31
An article in Hokkoku Shimbun discussed the students’ participation in the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference.
Event
Global Best Practices in the Inclusion of Women in Water and Climate Governance: Towards COP31
A panel discussion, together with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the OSCE, at COP31 (UNFCCC), Pavilion of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Antalya, Türkiye