Mission & Vision
UNU Press is the publishing arm of the United Nations University, the academic and research institution of the United Nations system. Its core mission is to disseminate rigorous, interdisciplinary research that addresses global challenges and supports the UNs development agenda. By transforming scholarly work into accessible books, reports, and digital resources, the press seeks to bridge the gap between academia, policymakers, and civil society.
The vision of UNU Press is to become a leading platform for knowledge that fosters sustainable development, peace, and human security. It aims to promote open access, multilingual publishing, and collaborative authorship across borders.
History
Founded in 2000, UNU Press emerged from the need to give the United Nations University a dedicated outlet for its growing body of research. Early publications focused on climate change, water management, and technology for development. Over the two decades since its inception, the press has expanded its portfolio to include:
- Monographs and edited volumes on peace studies, economics, and health.
- Policy briefs and working papers geared toward UN agencies.
- Openaccess ebooks and digital learning materials.
In 2014, UNU Press adopted a fully openaccess model for its peerreviewed titles, aligning with the UNs commitment to universal knowledge sharing.
Publications
UNU Press publishes three main types of material:
1. Academic Books
These are peerreviewed works that present original research or synthesis across a wide range of disciplines. Topics include environmental governance, migration, artificial intelligence for development, and global health.
2. PolicyOriented Reports
Targeted at decisionmakers, these reports translate complex research into actionable recommendations. They often accompany major UN conferences or serve as background for treaty negotiations.
3. Digital Resources
UNU Press offers openaccess ebooks, multimedia modules, and data visualisation tools. All digital products are licensed under Creative Commons to encourage reuse.
Recent notable titles (20222024):
- Resilient Cities in a Changing Climate edited by Dr. Maya Patel.
- AI for Good: Ethical Pathways for Emerging Technologies authored by Prof. Luis Fernndez.
- Food Security in the 21st Century a joint report with FAO.
Impact and Reach
Since 2000, UNU Press has published over 450 titles, reaching an estimated 1.2million readers worldwide. Key indicators of impact include:
- Citations: Press titles receive an average citation count 30% higher than comparable UN publications.
- Policy influence: More than 40% of the reports cited in UN General Assembly resolutions originate from UNU Press.
- Education: Over 200 universities incorporate UNU Press ebooks into curricula on sustainable development.
- Openaccess downloads: 800,000+ fulltext downloads in 2023 alone.
The press also supports capacitybuilding by offering authorworkshops for researchers in the Global South, helping them meet international publishing standards.
Partners and Collaboration
UNU Press works closely with a network of UN agencies, academic institutions, and civilsociety organizations. Some prominent partners include:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
- University of Tokyo, Faculty of Global Studies
- Open Knowledge Foundation
Through copublishing agreements, the press leverages partner expertise while ensuring that research outcomes remain freely accessible.
Contact & Further Information
For manuscript submissions, partnership enquiries, or to request a catalog, please use the following channels:
- Email: press@unu.edu
- Phone: +1(212)5550123
- Mailing address: United Nations University Press, 123UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Follow us on social media: Twitter, LinkedIn
Explore the full catalogue and download openaccess titles at https://unu.edu/press.
