The UN Intelligence Agency supports the overall effort by the UN and its member states to combat international terrorism by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence on terrorist groups and individuals. The UNIA also works with intelligence services and other organisations of peaceloving nations and shares pertinent information with them.

The Agency is charged with coordinating the intelligence activities of the UN member states and correlating, evaluating and disseminating intelligence which affects international peace and security. The Agency may gather information in all UN member states by any legal means. The object is to find evidence about activities concerning international peace and security. It may not, however, break national law in any circumstances. It may not interfere in the procedures of national authorities or its subordinated offices. The UN Intelligence Agency is neither charged with police investigations nor does it maintain armed forces. The information can be presented to the UN Security Council and its Counter-Terrorism-Committe. The UNIA is an independent agency, responsible to the Secretary General and accountable to the Security Council.