The United Nations University (UNU) is the academic arm of the United Nations (UN). UNU serves as a bridge between the academic world and the UN and its member states. Its goal is to develop sustainable solutions for current and future problems of humanity in all areas of life. Through a problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach, it aims at teaching, applied research and policy advice on a global scale.

UNU was founded in 1973 as an autonomous organ of the UN General Assembly. The Rectorate (UNU Center) is located in Tokyo, Japan. More than 15 UNU institutes and programs are located in a total of 12 countries worldwide. http://unu.edu/

The Vice-Rectorate in Europe has been based in Bonn since May 2007. It is the only Vice-Rectorate outside Japan and strengthens the UNU's presence in Europe. UNU-ViE supports the worldwide institutional growth of the UNU, especially in Europe and Africa.

UNU-ViE also coordinates the UNU-wide initiative "Priority Africa". This aims to make UNU activities in Africa more efficient by promoting knowledge exchange and cooperation between existing projects and partnerships and pooling resources.