Center for United Nations Constitutional Research
 | This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. (June 2025) |
Center for United Nations Constitutional Research | |
 | |
| Founder | CO- Founder: Shahr-Yar Mahmoud Sharei |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Brussel, Belgium |
Region | Europe |
| Website | https://cuncr.org |
The Center for United Nations Constitutional Research (CUNCR) is an independent think tank based in Brussels, Belgium.[1] Established in 2017, the organization is dedicated to advancing the principles and reform of global governance as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations, with a particular focus on international law, democratic accountability, and global constitutionalism.[2] It was cofounded by Dr. Shahr-Yar Mahmoud Sharei, who serves as its President and Executive Director.
Mission and Activities
[edit]CUNCR’s mission focuses on promoting legal and policy research that supports the development of a democratic, peaceful, and sustainable system of global governance.[3] It engages with global catastrophic risks facing the international community, including armed conflicts, climate change, and the governance of emerging technologies such as superintelligence and artificial general intelligence (AGI), and outer space.
The organization advocates for implementation of Article 109(3) of the UN Charter, which provides for a general review conference. CUNCR sees this as a legal pathway to reform and upgrade the United Nations system through inclusive and participatory processes.[4]
Research and Advocacy
[edit]CUNCR conducts research, publishes policy briefs, and hosts public events, legal symposia, and expert consultations. The organization also maintains an active blog and commentary platform, featuring contributions from legal scholars, diplomats, and practitioners in international law.[5]
As an accredited observer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), CUNCR has regularly participates in the annual United Nations Climate Change Conferences since COP25.[6] As an observer NGO, it has provided legal insight and proposals on the intersection of climate treaties and international law.[7]
Fellowship and Collaborations
[edit]CUNCR supports a fellowship program that brings together researchers, legal scholars, and practitioners committed to rethinking multilateralism and institutional reform. Fellows contribute to various thematic areas, such as UN constitutionalism, global climate governance, and space law, and AGI.
Among their contributions are Huaru Kang’s work on the uncertain future of human rights,[8] and Marko Filijović’s piece on space governance, which highlights the need for democratic oversight of asteroid mining. In this article published by SpaceNews, Filijović proposed establishing a UN Parliament to regulate resource extraction beyond Earth’s orbit.[9]
The organization engages with academic institutions and policy networks, particularly the European Union.
Legal Status and Governance
[edit]CUNCR is registered as an independent, non-profit organization under Belgian law as an AISBL. Its operations are overseen by a board of directors and guided by an international advisory board.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ UNO, Kampagne für ein Parlament bei der; Secretariat (2017-06-30). "New think tank on the structure of the United Nations and global governance established". Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly (in German). Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ "Center for United Nations Constitutional Research -". Security & Sustainability. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ "Center for United Nations Constitutional Research - CUNCR - BE 0670.457.169 | Overzicht". Bizzy (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Center for United Nations Constitutional Research | UIA Yearbook Profile | Union of International Associations". uia.org. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ jindalforinteconlaws (2024-05-11). "Chatting with ChatGPT: Reforming the UN Charter". Jindal Forum for International and Economic Laws. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ "Admitted NGOs | UNFCCC".
- ^ "Climate Democracy and Justice Summit – European Society of International Law | Société européenne de droit international". Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ "Global Challenges - The Uncertain Future of Human Rights". Global Challenges. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ "The U.N. needs to form a parliament to regulate space mining". SpaceNews. 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ "Professor Antonios Kouroutakis appointed to the Advisory Board of the Center for United Nations Constitutional Research". Law School. Retrieved 2025-05-19.