The University for Peace (UPEACE) is an international, graduate-only research university and intergovernmental organization. The university was established as a treaty organisation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1980. Each year, the University for Peace selects approximately 200 students globally for a master's programme (MA or MSc) related to the study of peace and conflict, environment and development, or international law. The university also offers a doctoral programme and executive education. The headquarters of the University for Peace are in located in a nature reserve in San José Province, Costa Rica. However, the university also has offices for education, research and other projects in the United States, Honduras, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, the Philippines, China and Italy. It is also active in Somalia through the Institute for Peace, Security and Development. The charter of the University for Peace, adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 35/55 in 1980, defines the mission of the university as follows: "to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations." History The creation of the University for Peace was set in motion by a treaty and endorsed by resolution 34/111 of 14 December 1979 of the United Nations General Assembly. By this resolution, the UN General Assembly established an international commission which, in collaboration with the government of Costa Rica, was requested to prepare the organization, structure and setting in motion of the University for Peace. Thereafter, by Resolution 35/55 of 5 December 1980, the UN General Assembly endorsed the treaty establishing the University for Peace by adopting the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace along with the Charter of the University for Peace. The university has the unique status of not only being a dedicated institution for higher education in peace and conflict studies, but also an international treaty body organization mandated by the UN General Assembly. Relationship with United Nations The University for Peace is part of the academic wing of the UN system, and has observer status at the UN General Assembly, while maintaining its independence in academic, financial and management matters. The UN Secretary-General