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The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, encourages the use of behavioural science to build a "UN 2.0".

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Behavioural Science (BeSci) has gained momentum across the UN since the launch of the Secretary-General's Guidance Note on Behavioural Science in 2021 which urges the exploration and application of BeSci in programmatic and administrative areas, and to work across agencies to realise it's potential for impact towards the SDGs and the mandates of the UN.

This commitment is reaffirmed by its inclusion in the Secretary-General’s “Quintet of Change”, which highlights key capabilities for a "UN 2.0".

LEARN ABOUT UN 2.0

The UN Behavioural Science Report outlines approaches and experiences from across the UN and shares practical steps to create an enabling environment for the application of behavioural science.

READ REPORT

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Developed by practitioners in international organisations, governments and academia and tailored to the UN, the Practicioner's Guide for Getting Started with Behavioural Science discusses how to apply behavioural science to policy, programming and administrative burden reduction.

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LEARN BESCI 101

The UN Behavioural Science Brief describes how by using rigorous methods, behavioural science can provide a better understanding of what interventions have or will have in the real world.

READ BRIEF

UN2.0: a vision of a modernised UN system, with cutting-edge skills and forward-thinking culture including behavioural science, data, digital transformation, innovation and strategic foresight.

READ THE BRIEF

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The UN General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future during the Summit of the Future this September. The Pact includes explicit commitment to a vision of UN 2.0:

Action 45(a) emphasises the aim of building a more agile, responsive, and resilient UN, with behavioural science serving as a key tool in this effort.

READ THE PACT

BESCI AT SoF

UN BeSci Week 2025 Brief

The 2025 edition of UN Behavioural Science Week reflected a growing shift from isolated pilot projects to more integrated, system-wide applications of behavioural science.

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UN Behavioural Science Brief Package

For six years the UN BeSci Group has convened the annual UN BeSci Week bringing together UN colleagues to share their experiences with behavioural science and discuss the UN’s work with leaders outside the UN.

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Scaling BeSci in the Global South

This side event, as part of the Summit of the Future Action Days during the 79th United Nations General Assembly, explored the untapped potential of BeSci in the Global South and addressed the current imbalance.

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Sludge Reduction Brief

Sludge is frequently defined as excessive friction that makes it harder for people to achieve their desired outcomes. Common examples include complicated forms, opaque organisational processes or long waiting times.

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UN Behavioural Science Brief Package

Learn about the work of the United Nations Behavioural Science Group, as we put spotlight on our journey so far, key focal areas, the UN Behavioural Science Week and the UN Behavioural Science Fellowship.

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Behavioural Science News From the UN and Beyond

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