UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is the designated UN think tank on global health, serving as a policy translation hub for UN member states, agencies and programmes. It was established by a statute adopted by the Council of the United Nations University in December 2005.

The Institute generates policy-relevant analysis by applying a gender lens to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of health programmes. UNU-IIGH also supports capacity development of local decision-makers and stakeholders to engage effectively with global health challenges within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UN Photo | John Isaac

2019 – 2023 Strategic Plan

UNU-IIGH’s 2019 – 2023 Strategic Plan focuses on three pillars: translating evidence into policy, generating policy-relevant analysis, and strengthening capacity for local decision making on key issues related to sustainable development and global public health.

• Pillar One – Evidence to Policy
• Pillar Two – Gender and Health
• Pillar Three – Capacity Building

UNU-IIGH Objectives

1. To generate recommendations and build consensus on key global health issues through the convening of policy dialogues with member states, UN agencies and other key stakeholders
2. To undertake translation and dissemination of global guidance and recommendations in global health priority areas to make them relevant for country-level decision-makers
3. To support the implementation of global guidance through expert briefings, advice and training
4. To develop analytical tools to inform the development of implementation and evaluation of gender mainstreaming tools in health programming
5. To review the evidence and generate new knowledge in approaches to addressing gender inequalities in health and health outcomes
6. To strengthen capacity for local decision making through South-South learning and fostering engagement between academics, professional associations, researchers, civil society and policymakers
7. To develop knowledge products to inform global policy and best practice across health in the SDGs