The Academic Council on the United Nations System seeks to stimulate, support, and disseminate research, analysis on the United Nations, multilateralism, and international organization. ACUNS also promotes teaching on these topics, as well as dialogue and mutual understanding across and between the academic and practitioner communities.

ACUNS is a global professional association of educational and research institutions, individual scholars, and practitioners active in the work and study of multilateral relations, global governance, and international cooperation. Approximately half of The ACUN membership is based in North America, Europe and Central Asia.