In the words of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "The Academic Impact aims to generate a global movement of minds to promote a new culture of intellectual social responsibility.

On this occasion, he outlined the purpose of UNAI:[2]By sharing ideas, across borders and disciplines, we can find solutions to the interconnected problems that cause so much suffering.

Examples include lectures, publications, online activities and especially events that promote intercultural dialogue and the international exchange of ideas.

UNAI provides information on UN activities and provides guidance on how students, professors and researchers can apply their knowledge to the work of the UN and make a difference in their classrooms, communities and campuses.

UNAI uses a number of tools to communicate with its members ranging from social media, including Google hangouts, Twitter town halls and Facebook Live interviews, webinars, podcasts, the publication of research, reports and articles on areas of research that can advance the achievement of the SDGs, newsletters and events such as panel discussions, conferences, workshops, film screenings, and briefings.