The Global University Network for Innovation-Asia and the Pacific ( GUNI-AP) was founded in September 2002 in Hangzhou, China. It is a  network of networks constituted by UNESCO Chairs, institutions of research into higher  education and institutions that carry out innovation projects in higher education. Its mission is to contribute to the reinforcement of higher education in Asia and pacific region, by application of the decisions of the World Conference on Higher Education, notably the implementation of the UNESCO/UNU Forum on higher education, as foreseen in section 6 (i) of the Framework for Priority Action for the change and development in higher education.

GUNI-AP was initiated by UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok, United Nations University, Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and Zhejiang University in partnership with other 8 leading universities from 7 countries in the region. The secretariat of GUNI-AP is located in Zhejiang University, China.