David Passarelli

David Passarelli is the Director of the United Nations University (UNU) Centre for Policy Research, where he oversees the strategic direction, organization and administration of the Centre’s research activities. He is also a member of UNU’s Senior Management Group and serves as the University’s representative to the United Nations High Level Committee on Programmes.

From 2022 to 2023, Dr. Passarelli led the Secretariat of the United Nations Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism. His research has been commissioned by major international organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), and the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom. His work has received financial support from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, and Canada’s International Development Research Centre. His research and policy work focus on global governance, migration, strategic foresight, international development, and global finance. He holds a Doctorate in International Development from the University of Oxford.

Dr. Passarelli has held several senior positions within UNU, including serving as Executive Officer and Secretary of the governing board from 2017 to 2020, and as Chief of Staff to the University’s Under Secretary General from 2013 to 2016. He also established and led the University’s Office of Academic Affairs between 2011 and 2013. In addition, he has held research roles at the Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility and the Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration, and has lectured at Temple University in Tokyo.