Generating solutions since 1975
Since the launch of academic operations in 1975, UNU has grown from an office in Tokyo to a global network of institutes on five continents. For 50 years, UNU has drawn from its depth and breadth of expertise to contribute to the efforts of the UN system, its member states and the broader global community. Today, UNU continues its commitment to generating evidence-based solutions to the world's most pressing problems.
1975–1979 | 1980–1984 | 1985–1989 | 1990–1994 | 1995–1999 | 2000–2004 | 2005–2009 | 2010–2025
1975 – UNU Headquarters
UNU Headquarters includes UNU Centre in Tokyo (1975), which serves as the primary programming, planning and administrative headquarters, UNU Centre in Putrajaya (2007), which provides support for human resources, administrative and financial services, and the UNU Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-VIE, 2007), which enhances UNU development, collaborates with UN agencies, and facilitates joint activities across UNU and with UNU partners.
1975 — UNU Food and Nutrition Programme (UNU-FNP)
This initiative was established to address global challenges related to food security, nutrition and public health. From 1996, UNU-FNP was hosted by Cornell University’s Division of Nutritional Sciences. In the 21st century, UNU-FNP’s activities began to be absorbed into broader UNU initiatives, and the programme was ultimately phased out as a standalone entity.
1979 — UNU Gender Training Programme (UNU-GTP)1
UNU-GTP was established to build capacity in geothermal energy, particularly for developing countries. Amid the 1970s energy crises, UNU-GTP focused on training professionals to harness geothermal resources as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, promoting renewable energy development globally.
1984 — UNU World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER)
UNU-WIDER was established during global economic crises to address urgent issues including poverty and inequality. UNU-WIDER generates policy-oriented solutions for structural economic challenges, promoting international cooperation and economic stability in response to the interconnected nature of domestic and global economies. [top]
1986 — UNU Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA)
UNU-INRA was created to help African countries manage their natural resources sustainably amid growing global focus on the economic role of natural resources. UNU-INRA builds capacity for effective resource management, fostering self-reliant development and improving economic outcomes across the continent.
1988— UNU Biotechnology Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU-BIOLAC)
UNU-BIOLAC was founded to address regional needs in biotechnology, a rapidly growing field in the 1980s. UNU-BIOLAC enhances research, training, and innovation in biotechnology for Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on agriculture, medicine and environmental management to support regional development. [top]
1990 — UNU Institute for New Technologies (UNU-INTECH)2
UNU-INTECH was established to address the transformative impact of emerging technologies like ICT. UNU-INTECH focused on researching the social and economic implications of new technologies, providing training and support for developing countries to harness innovation for development.
1992 — UNU International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST)
UNU-IIST was founded to help developing countries bridge gaps in software technology at a time of rapid advances in computing. It aimed to strengthen scientific and technical capabilities through research, training and the development of software tailored to the unique needs of developing countries. UNU-IIST is now colloquially known as UNU Macau, which currently conducts research and training on digital technologies for sustainable development, encouraging data-driven and evidence-based actions and policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. [top]
1993 — UNU Institute for Conflict Resolution and Ethnic Relations (UNU-INCORE)
Established as a partnership between UNU and Ulster University in Northern Ireland, UNU-INCORE addressed global challenges related to conflict and ethnic relations. Eventually, these activities and objectives were integrated into other programmes/institutions within UNU and Ulster University, and UNU-INCORE ceased to operate as a separate entity.
1995 — UNU International Leadership Academy (UNU-ILA)
UNU-ILA was established to address the global need for effective leadership in promoting sustainable development and human security. The name was later changed to the UNU International Leadership Institute (UNU-ILI). UNU-ILI focused on providing leadership education and training, fostering responsibility and building the capacity of emerging leaders to address complex international challenges. UNU-ILI ceased operations in 2007. [top]
1996 — UNU Institute for Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)3
UNU-IAS was created to advance research and education on sustainability, particularly focusing on the intersection of societal and natural systems. Inspired by the global push for sustainability following the 1992 Earth Summit, UNU-IAS aimed to develop interdisciplinary solutions for environmental, economic and social challenges.
1996 — UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
UNU-INWEH was established to address growing global challenges of water management, health and environmental sustainability. UNU-INWEH conducts research, provides training and builds capacity to tackle water-related issues, especially in developing countries where clean water and sanitation are critical needs. [top]
1998 — UNU Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP)1
UNU-FTP was created to build capacity in sustainable fisheries management. Responding to global concerns over overfishing and declining fish stocks, UNU-FTP offered training to professionals from developing countries to advance knowledge in fisheries policy, marine resource management, and aquaculture.
2001 — UNU Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS)
UNU-CRIS was created to study the increasing importance of regional integration, such as the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Today, UNU-CRIS conducts research, provides training, and promotes understanding of the dynamics and impacts of regional integration processes worldwide. [top]
2003 — UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
UNU-EHS was created to address growing concern about the impacts of environmental hazards on human security. UNU-EHS focuses on research, training and policy solutions to advance human security and well-being by reducing current and future risks from environmental hazards and climate change.
2005 — UNU Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT)2
UNU-MERIT was established to study the relationship between technological innovation, economic growth and social development. UNU-MERIT focuses on research and capacity building to help developing countries harness new technologies for economic and social progress in a rapidly globalizing world. [top]
2006 — UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)
UNU-IIGH was founded to address pressing global health challenges, especially in developing countries. UNU-IIGH uses a gender lens to focus on research, policy development and capacity building in areas such as health systems, infectious diseases and preventive health care, aiming to improve global health outcomes.
2009 — UNU Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (UNU-GEST)1
UNU-GEST was founded to promote gender equality and empower women, particularly in developing countries. UNU-GEST provided specialized training and education to help professionals implement gender-sensitive policies and practices, supporting the UN's broader goal of advancing gender equality globally. [top]
2009 — UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP)3
UNU-ISP was established to promote a better understanding of intersecting themes that extend across three areas — global change and sustainability; peace and security; and international cooperation and development. The institute bridged these cross-cutting issues through research, education and collaborative initiatives with the aim of solving present problems and anticipating future challenges.
2010 — UNU Land Restoration Training Programme (UNU-LRT)1
UNU-LRT was established to combat land degradation and desertification, which pose significant environmental challenges globally. UNU-LRT provided training to professionals from developing countries to help them restore degraded land and implement sustainable land management practices, supporting global efforts in land restoration. [top]
2010 — UNU International Institute for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNU-IIAOC)
UNU-IIAOC was created to address global challenges of cultural diversity, migration and interfaith dialogue. The institute supported the UN's Alliance of Civilizations initiative by conducting research, promoting intercultural understanding and fostering cooperation to address conflicts and tensions. In 2012, the institute was launched as the UNU Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility (UNU-GCM). UNU-GCM ceased operations in December 2018.
2012 — UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
UNU-FLORES was created to promote sustainable management of environmental resources. UNU-FLORES focuses on integrated management of water, soil, and waste to address global environmental challenges, conducting research and providing training to foster sustainable development practices worldwide. [top]
2014 — UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)3
UNU-IAS was established through the merger of two UNU institutes (UNU-IAS and UNU-ISP) to focus on sustainability research, policy development and education. The institute addresses interconnected challenges of environmental, economic and social sustainability, promoting interdisciplinary solutions for global development.
2014 — UNU Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)
UNU-CPR was established to provide policy-focused research and capacity building on issues of strategic interest and importance to the UN and its Member States, including conflict, peace and security, and human rights. UNU-CPR prioritizes urgent policy needs requiring innovative, practical solutions oriented toward immediate implementation and sustainability over the long term. [top]
2014 — UNU Operating Unit on Policy-driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV)
UNU-EGOV focuses on research and policy development in digital governance. UNU-EGOV addresses the growing importance of ICT in transforming government operations, improving transparency and enhancing public services, aiming to promote inclusive social and economic development through electronic governance.
1 - The four Iceland-based programmes (UNU-FTP, UNU-GEST, UNU-GTP and UNU-LRT) ceased operations with UNU in December 2019 and formed the GRÓ International Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainable use of Natural Resources and Societal Change, operating under the auspices of UNESCO.
2 - UNU-INTECH merged with the Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology to form UNU-MERIT in 2005.
3 - UNU-ISP merged with the UNU Institute for Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) to form the UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (also UNU-IAS) in 2014.
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