Office at the United Nations, New York

On 1 January 2009, the United Nations University formally established a new research and educational institute located in Tokyo: the UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP). UNU-ISP was created by combining the research and training activities of the UNU Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) Programme and UNU Peace and Governance (P&G) Programme, which since 1997 have functioned as part of UNU Centre - Tokyo, and the UNU Capacity Development Programme that was overseen by the Office of the Rector.

Conceived by UNU Rector Konrad Osterwalder, the establishment of UNU-ISP was formally approved by the governing UNU Council at its 55th Session in December 2008. The intent is to give an institutional identity and profile to the integrated academic activities of the ESD and P&G Programmes, as well as to clarify the structure and administrative/coordination role of the headquarters unit of UNU Centre. UNU-ISP, under the directorship of UNU Vice-Rector Kazuhiko Takeuchi, becomes the 14th in the UNU's global network of Research and Training Centres and Programmes (RTC/Ps).

The new institute will provide a unique opportunity to exploit the strengths in natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities of the two former thematic programmes, and to create transdisciplinary synergies that can more effectively address pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare. With escalating environmental issues (such as global climate change, the double energy threat and the looming food crisis) profoundly impacting human security, especially in the poorest countries, there is a need for an institute that can bridge the cross-cutting issues of sustainability and peace through a comprehensive and integrated approach.