[3] Headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, with diplomatic status as a UN institution, its mission is to help resolve global issues related to human development and welfare through collaborative research and education.

In 1969, UN Secretary-General U Thant proposed "the establishment of a United Nations university, truly international and devoted to the Charter objectives of peace and progress".

Tokyo was chosen as the main location due to the Japanese government's commitment to provide facilities and $100 million to the UNU endowment fund.

The university's research officially prioritises three thematic areas: peace and governance; global development and inclusion; and environment, climate and energy.

[6] The Council of UNU[7] is the governing board of the University and is composed of 12 members[8] who are appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations with the concurrence of the Director-General of UNESCO.

[15] In 2014, UNU-MERIT, in collaboration with Maastricht University, started to grant a double degree Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development.