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Generative AI hacker in a dark room, surrounded by multiple screens and typing on a keyboard
With all forms of organized crime shifting ever more to being dependent on or incorporating online aspects, including the use of virtual assets, its reach and capability of harm is increasing.
Photo:eugenegg / Generated with AI

The toll of organized transnational crime

thrives worldwide, affecting governance and political processes, and weakening the advancement of the rule of law. It encompasses, inter alia, illicit trafficking of firearms, drugs, protected species, cultural property, or falsified medical products and, among its most severe manifestations, human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. It also includes the laundering of proceeds of crime and obstruction of justice. Moreover, with all forms of organized crime shifting ever more to being dependent on or incorporating online aspects, including the use of virtual assets, its reach and capability of harm is increasing.

Organized criminal groups are flexible in changing or expanding their illicit businesses for profit. They misuse vulnerabilities and crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, natural disasters, and armed conflicts exploiting them for their own purposes.

Traditional, territorial-based criminal groups have evolved or have been partially replaced by smaller and more flexible networks with branches across several jurisdictions. Criminal actors, witnesses, victims and proceeds of crime may be located in many different States. It is therefore evident, that joint efforts from States across the world are required as organized crime cannot be tackled in isolation.

Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

The is applicable to all forms of serious crime of transnational nature committed by organized criminal groups. More than two decades after its adoption it is among the most ratified international legal instruments.

Together with its three Protocols the Convention remains the primary global tool to prevent and address a broad range of criminal activities effectively.

International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime

In March 2024, the General Assembly 15 November the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime, in order to raise awareness of the threats posed by all forms of transnational organized crime and to enhance international cooperation in this regard.

It recognized the importance of the prevention of and fight against transnational organized crime for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The General Assembly commemorated all victims of organized crime, including those who have lost their lives fighting such crime, in particular law enforcement and judicial personnel, and paying special tribute to all those persons, such as Judge Giovanni Falcone, whose work and sacrifice paved the way for the adoption of the Convention, and affirming that their legacy lives on through our global commitment to preventing and combating organized crime.

Documents

  • (A/RES/78/267)
  • (A/RES/55/25, Annex I)
  • (A/RES/55/25, Annex II)
  • (A/RES/55/25, Annex III)
  • (A/RES/55/255)

Observances

Links

For two decades, the (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them.

 

Tools and publications on the work and efforts of UNODC in the fight against transnational organized crime. Also available resources on , , and .

 

illustration of people with clock, calendar, to-do list and decorations

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.