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
In the Field with Lisa Hartmann: Scoping Biodiversity Loss and Impacts on People in the Philippines
UNU-EHS research in the Philippines explores climate-related losses affecting biodiversity, ecosystems and people’s relationships with nature.
Article
From Gold and Grain to Petabytes and Petaflops: Rewriting the Wealth of Nations
The wealth of nations now lies not in vaults or fields, but in data flows and computational systems.
Blog Post
Women’s status in economics: Evidence from Africa, Asia, and Latin America
New research by Fiona Tregenna and co-authors examines gender gaps in economics across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Blog Post
Building STI Policy Capacity: A Multi-Agency UN Effort in Action
Global experts discuss how stronger STI policy capacity can support sustainable development and long-term institutional change.
Event
The Grace of a Knight: a UNU-INWEH art exhibition on water, gender, and health
UNU-INWEH bridges science and art to bring awareness to water, environment and health issues faced by women in upcoming public art exhibition
Journal Issue
Forum: Bridging the Gap between Academics and Policymakers in Africa
The aim of the forum is to kick-start a conversation on the status of academic and policy engagement across the African continent.
Expert
Isaiah Omondi Walwanga
Isaiah Omondi is a Youth Fellow in Global Water Security Assessment at UNU-INWEH.
Conference
UNU-MERIT Internal Conference 2026
UNU-MERIT’s Internal Conference is an annual event where researchers and fellows share work, exchange feedback, and strengthen collaboration.
Article
Amid rising tensions, ‘friendshoring’ might keep global trade alive
How US-China decoupling is reshaping global value chains and creating new opportunities for developing economies.
Expert
Sonali Abeysinghe
Sonali’s research focuses on sustainability assessment in the built environment sector, with particular emphasis on life cycle analysis (LCA), climate-neutral and resource-efficient construction, circular economy strategies, and the Resource Nexus approach.