In 2025, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library proudly celebrates the achievements of the United Nations System Electronic Information Acquisitions Consortium (UNSEIAC). Now in its 27th year, the consortium that the Library launched in 1998 with just 20 participating UN entities has grown into a powerful collective of 49. Led by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library since its inception, UNSEIAC has become a model of collaboration and efficiency in securing sustainable access to electronic resources and databases not only for the UN Secretariat, but also for members from the wider UN system.
In 2024-2025, members pooled $2.8 million to secure 587 electronic subscriptions for 73,124 UN staff across the system, achieving a remarkable cost avoidance of more than $141 million compared to publishers’ and Vendors’ catalogue prices.
Electronic resources—digital journals, databases, e‑books, intelligence data, and specialized platforms—have become essential tools for preparing news briefings, conducting peacekeeping research, drafting policy, and informing humanitarian operations. Through UNSEIAC, licensing and procurement are negotiated collectively with vendors and publishers, ensuring both fairer terms and reduced costs for all participating entities.
From vision to impact, 2025 stands as a milestone year in the consortium’s journey. What began as a practical solution to rising electronic subscription costs has become a best practice of collaboration, excellence, and leadership. Today, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library’s stewardship of UNSEIAC reminds us that when we unite, we empower the entire UN system to uphold its mission with clarity, strength, and purpose, especially in a constrained budget environment.
For more information: unseiac@un.org
