United Nations University Annual Report 2019 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Rector’s Welcome ................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Features Supporting the Eradication of Modern Slavery ............................................................................................. 6 Evidence for Decision-making: The Science Behind Coastal Risk and Sea Level Rise .......... 9 Researching Global Health Through a Gender Lens ............................................................................... 12 Our Work on the Global Goals No Poverty, Zero Hunger ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Good Health & Well–being .............................................................................................................................................18 Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities ...............................................................................................................20 Gender Equality ....................................................................................................................................................................22 Clean Water & Sanitation, Affordable & Clean Energy ..................................................................................24 Decent Work & Economic Growth..............................................................................................................................26 Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure; Responsible Consumption & Production ...........................28 Sustainable Cities & Communities .............................................................................................................................30 Climate Action ........................................................................................................................................................................32 Life Below Water, Life on Land .....................................................................................................................................34 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions ..........................................................................................................................36 Partnerships for the Goals ...............................................................................................................................................38 Organisational Review Implementing the UNU Strategic Plan 2015-2019 ............................................................................................41 Knowledge Dissemination & Outreach ...................................................................................................................45 The Global UNU System ...................................................................................................................................................47 Human & Financial Resources .......................................................................................................................................49 Contributions Received ....................................................................................................................................................50 Governance & Leadership............................................................................................................................................... 51 United Nations University 53–70 Jingumae 5–chome, Shibuya–ku, Tokyo 150–8925 JAPAN Copyright © 2020 United Nations University. All Rights Reserved. ISBN 978-92-808-9117-1 Designed by MORI DESIGN INC., Tokyo. Feature photography support by PANOS PICTURES, London. Introduction The United Nations University (UNU) was established This report describes UNU’s activities and by the UN General Assembly in 1973 with a mandate achievements in 2019. It does not attempt to provide to “devote its work to research into the pressing global an exhaustive inventory of the University’s operations problems of human survival, development and welfare and accomplishments, but rather offers an overview that are the concern of the United Nations and its of the thematic and geographic scope of UNU’s work. agencies”. As both a research-focused university — Because the current research programme of UNU is with the academic freedom that entails — and a think closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable tank within the UN system, UNU is uniquely positioned Development, the year’s activities are presented to show to provide objective, evidence-based research that their alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development inspires confidence among high-level policymakers Goals. and contributes to today’s most important policy This report also presents three feature articles as discussions. well as an organisation overview, including a five-year UNU serves as a bridge between the UN system retrospective on efforts to implement the priorities of and worldwide learning and research communities, the UNU Strategic Plan 2015–2019. particularly in the developing world. In addition to If you would like additional information about the drawing on the expertise of more than 670 skilled work of UNU, we invite you to visit the following online researchers and support personnel, the University resources: collaborates with multiple networks of expert partners • the global UNU system website to conduct solutions-focused research and offer (unu.edu) specialised postgraduate training. UNU disseminates • previous years’ UNU Annual Reports its research through a range of easily accessible (unu.edu/publications/annualreports) publications and via events, websites, and social media. • the UNU Sustainable Development Explorer (unu.edu/explore) • the monthly UNU INSIGHTS newsletter (unu.edu/insights) 54 65 47 40 39 52 49 83 63 28 37 SDG 1 2 3 4 5 81 6 7 8 34 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 19 1 3 70 31 1 4 17 1 5 68 Projects 209 1 Active Projects 6 1 UNU research addresses every SDG. 7 Most projects contribute to multiple Goals. 3 Rector’s Welcome It was a half-century ago, in 1969, that the United Nations General Assembly first considered a proposal by the Secretary-General to establish “an international university to be devoted to the United Nations Charter objectives of peace and progress”. After an expert study and further deliberation, the General Assembly formally adopted the UNU Charter in 1973, and in 1975 UNU launched its activities as a think tank for the United Nations system. Throughout its lifespan, UNU has produced research with strong academic and scientific value linked to the United Nations’ objectives. Over time, however, the focus of UNU’s activities had shifted increasingly towards academia, and away from the generation of policy-relevant knowledge as envisioned by the Charter. When I joined UNU as Rector in 2013, I undertook, at the request of then-United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a critical reappraisal of the University’s priorities with the aim of reorienting UNU’s efforts to better serve the policy needs of the United Nations system. With the support of the UNU Council, I initiated a University-wide discussion that culminated in the vision laid out in the UNU Strategic Plan 2015—2019 — a vision we believed would ensure that UNU research occupies a meaningful place in UN policymakers’ toolkits and informs UN decision-making on key issues. As 2019 marked the fifth and final year of the UNU Strategic Plan 2015—2019, this report includes a section that looks back at UNU’s accomplishments over the past five years. The report also highlights last year’s activities and successes, and provides an overview of UNU’s structure, resources, and governance. This was also a notable year in that six new members joined UNU’s governing board, the UNU Council. I would like to heartily welcome the new Council members and offer my sincere thanks to the continuing and outgoing members for their dedication and support. In closing, I would like to extend special thanks to UNU’s host governments and donors, to our collaborators within the UN system and among the global academic and research communities, and to all UNU personnel around the world. Without your support, UNU’s success in delivering relevant, authoritative research and policy advice within and beyond the United Nations system would not be possible. Warm thanks also to all of you who attend UNU events, take our training courses, browse our websites, follow us on social media, and read our publications. All of us in the UNU family are grateful for your continuing interest and support. David M. Malone Rector of the United Nations University Under–Secretary–General of the United Nations 4 Features UNU takes an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to research on pressing global problems. UNU generates knowledge to support an evidence–based rethinking of policies by providing decision–makers with fresh perspectives on important policy issues and proactive analyses of emerging concerns. To better highlight UNU’s people, approach, and outputs, this section offers examples of the University’s work on three important global issues: modern slavery, climate change, and gender and health. FEATURE Supporting the Eradication of Modern Slavery Photo: G.M.B.