United Nations University

06/06/2026

On 18 May 2026, UNU, in collaboration with 国連広報センター (UNIC Tokyo), hosted the high-level symposium “Celebrating 70: Japan-UN Cooperation, EXPO 2025 and the Future of Multilateralism” at the UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.

Bringing together senior officials from the United Nations and the Government of Japan, as well as youth leaders from Japan, the symposium commemorated the 70th anniversary of Japan’s membership in the UN and explored how this long-standing partnership can help shape the next generation of multilateral cooperation.

Rewatch the event: https://go.unu.edu/4rZxo

06/06/2026

📣 Join UNU and partners at the first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance from 6–7 July 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The AI Dialogue is the first United Nations platform where all governments and stakeholders convene to discuss international cooperation, share best practices and lessons learned, and facilitate open, transparent and inclusive discussions on .

Register by 25 June.

Learn more about the Dialogue and contribute to its Partnerships Hub at: https://www.un.org/global-dialogue-ai-governance

05/06/2026

The latest United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health report unveils stark findings about the environmental cost of ’s energy use ⚡️

A responsible AI system — for people and planet — is urgently needed.

Access the full report: go.unu.edu/Pbuf9

04/06/2026

NEW RELEASE: The Environmental Cost of AI 🔌 💻📱

The latest report by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) quantifies the carbon, water and land footprints of 's electricity use across the globe.

By 2030, the global data centres powering artificial intelligence are projected to consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity. This is nearly triple the combined annual electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria — countries collectively home to more than 650 million people. Their associated water footprint will equal the basic annual domestic water needs of all 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa, and their land footprint will exceed 14,500 square kilometres, roughly twice the Jakarta metropolitan area.

AI’s environmental footprint is not only a technical problem but a governance and justice challenge. The report calls for a responsible AI ecosystem built on six principles: transparency, efficiency by design, equity and environmental justice, lifecycle responsibility, global cooperation and sustainable use.

Access the full report: https://go.unu.edu/Pbuf9

03/06/2026

02/06/2026

PREPARE FOR EL NIÑO 🚨

The latest WMO El Niño/La Niña Update, released on 2 June, indicates an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event during June–August 2026. Most forecast models suggest it will be at least moderate and possibly strong.

El Niño typically increases global temperatures and drives more extreme weather and rainfall patterns. Though there is currently no clear scientific evidence that climate change is increasing the frequency or intensity of El Niño or La Niña events, a warmer ocean and atmosphere can add heat and moisture to the climate system, which may worsen some extremes related to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate pattern.

"The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world," warns United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Learn more: https://go.unu.edu/hd21e

via World Meteorological Organization

01/06/2026

Interested in working with us? 💻📄📚

This June, explore UNU job opportunities in Tokyo, Geneva and beyond. Learn more below!

Consultant (CTC-4), UN University - Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability
Tokyo | 2 June 2026

Library Intern, UNU Office of the Rector
Tokyo | 5 June 2026

Programme Assistant, Postgraduate Degree and Training Programme (PSA-2, RE-ADVERTISE), UNU-IAS
Tokyo | 7 June 2026

Assistant (CTC-1), UNU-IAS
Kanazawa | 15 June 2026

Science-Policy Visiting Fellow - Data Governance CSTD, United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)
Geneva | 17 June 2026

Science-Policy Visiting Fellow - Emerging Tech and Verification Processes (BWC/UNODA/UNIDIR), UNU-CPR
Geneva | 17 June 2026

Adjunct Professor/Researcher on the Resource Nexus (Roster), United Nations University-FLORES
On-site (Dresden)/Remote | Open deadline

ℹ Learn more and apply via https://careers.unu.edu/

29/05/2026

🗞️ The May 2026 edition of features an analysis of the future of UN by the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR), a report calling for a fundamental shift in how is understood and addressed by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the latest research, commentaries and jobs from across the global UNU system.

Read the full edition and subscribe to get INSIGHTS delivered to your inbox: https://go.unu.edu/PrHfr

29/05/2026

REIMAGINING THE WEALTH OF NATIONS: From Invisible Hand to Digital Hand

Next week, join us for a conversation with Prof. Yilei Shao, Founding Dean of the Shanghai AI-Finance School (SAIFS) and SAIFS Research Center at East China Normal University (ECNU), and Director of the UNU Hub for AI-Finance at ECNU.

🗓️ 5 June 2026, 18:30–19:30 JST
📍 UNU Headquarters, Tokyo
🌐 English

Prof. Yilei Shao will join UNU Rector Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala for a discussion on how technologies are transforming concepts of capital, resources and economic activity in the era of AI. The discussion will also explore the need for new governance frameworks to address emerging risks and promote accountability, transparency and fairness.

Learn more and register now: https://go.unu.edu/CP7am

28/05/2026

Next Wednesday, join us for a conversation with H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

🗓️ 3 June 2026
⏰ 17:00–17:45 JST
📍 UNU Headquarters, Tokyo
🌐 English

H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty will join UNU Rector Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala for a high-level dialogue on diplomacy, international peace and security, and regional stability, including in the Middle East.

Learn more and register now: https://go.unu.edu/q33zK