News and Events

This page includes news and events on the work and efforts of UNODC in the fight against transnational organized crime. News on human trafficking and migrant smuggling, illicit manufacturing and trafficking in firearms, cybercrime and money laundering are available on the following pages:

Trafficking in persons and Smuggling of migrants

Illicit manufacturing and trafficking in firearms

Cybercrime

Money laundering

A group of women standing and looking straight to the camera. On the right side of the image, a projector screen is visible.

Launch of UNODC Network of Women in Law and Policy against Organized Crime in West and Central Africa

6 December 2023, Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) – Globally, the lack of women’s participation in the development of legislation and policies against organized crime continues to present a significant obstacle to the effective mainstreaming of gender and human rights considerations in the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). Despite women’s representation in decision-making positions being an internationally agreed priority in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, women are underrepresented at all levels of legislation and policy development. Read more

A group photo taken outside. In the background, the roll up banner of the Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention and palm trees.

Regional Event for South Asia on Organized Crime Strategies and Gender and Human Rights Mainstreaming

16 November 2023, Male (Maldives) - The UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention was in Male, the Maldives to host two back-to back meetings: the Regional Multi-stakeholder Meeting on Strategies against Organized Crime and a Regional Event on Gender and Human Rights Mainstreaming in Preventing and Combating Organized Crime. Organized in partnership with UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, the event brought together policymakers, legislators, academia, international organizations and civil society from across the region with the purpose of discussing strategies against organized crime, as well as tools and best practices on mainstreaming gender equality and human rights considerations in the implementation of UNTOC. Read more

UNODC supports the development of National Strategies against Organized Crime in Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire

Vienna/Abidjan, 10 November 2023 - The UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention held three back-to-back workshops to support the development of National Strategies against Organized Crime in Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire in October and November 2023. Carried out within the framework of the UNODC project Regional Hub on Transnational Organized Crime for West and Central Africa based in Abidjan – Cote d’Ivoire with the generous support of the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom, these events brought together a total of around 80 officials from the respective Ministries, including the Ministries of Justice and the Interior, specialized agencies such as the Narcotics Control Commission of Ghana, and relevant institutions, including Customs, Police and Gendarmerie of the three countries. Read more

UNODC Network of Women in Law and Policy against Organized Crime in West and Central Africa

Vienna, 24 October 2023 - Are you a female policy maker, legislators, legislative drafter, criminal justice practitioner or law enforcement official from West and Central Africa? Do you work on issues related to organized crime?We invite you to submit your expression of interest for the first meeting of the UNODC Network of Women in Law and Policy against Organized Crime in West and Central Africa! Read more

UNODC Project on Strategies against Organized Crime wins UK’s CSSF Award for Catalytic Delivery

Vienna, 24 October 2023 - Comprehensive and inclusive strategies against organized crime bring tangible results and positive impact on preventing and combating transnational organized crime. Recently, the UNODC Project on Strategies against Organized Crime, implemented by UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention, won UK’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Award for Catalytic Delivery. The award acknowledges the project’s achievements in mobilizing international, regional and national action towards the development of comprehensive and effective national strategies to prevent and counter organized crime. Read more

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Protecting human rights and dignity of smuggled migrants at the core of discussions of the Constructive Dialogue

Vienna, 20 October 2023 - As highlighted in the UNODC report Abused and Neglected, there is little evidence of cases of migrant smuggling being prosecuted in States throughout the migration journey, including cases of migrants suffering severe forms of abuse and violence while in transit. Civil society, policy experts and academia have repeatedly voiced their concerns over the widespread impunity of perpetrators and the suffering and violence often faced by smuggled migrants. Read more

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Why gender matters in the fight against gang violence

Vienna (Austria), 16 October 2023 - Gender stereotypes pervade all aspects of life, influencing experiences and societies in ways both direct and indirect. The world of transnational organized crime is no exception. All people in contact with the crime are influenced by preconceived biases – consciously or not. Read more

Regional Event for Southeast Asia on Organized Crime Strategies and Gender and Human Rights Mainstreaming

9-12 October 2023, Bangkok, Thailand - The UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention was in Bangkok to host a Regional Multi-stakeholder Meeting on Strategies against Organized Crime, as well as its first ever Regional Event on Gender and Human Rights Mainstreaming in Preventing and Combating Organized Crime. Organized in partnership with UNODC Regional Office on Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the event brought together policymakers, legislators, academia, international organizations and civil society from across the region with the purpose of discussing strategies against organized crime, as well as tools and best practices on mainstreaming gender equality and human rights considerations in the implementation of UNTOC. Read more

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Tackling child trafficking and corruption in the context of human trafficking: key topics of 2023 Constructive Dialogue on Trafficking in Persons

Vienna, 13 October 2023. According to 2022 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, organized criminal groups across the world are responsible for most detected victims and convicted perpetrators of trafficking in persons. Relevant data stated in the report, highlight that larger and most structured organized criminal groups traffic more persons for a longer period of time, and in more violent ways. In particular, women and children suffer more violent exploitation than men. Read more

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States reinforced their commitment to combat Transnational Organized Crime at Ministerial Conference in Palermo

Palermo, 3 October 2023. According to UNODC data, migrants pay up to 5,000 USD to cross the Mediterranean Sea1, putting their lives and safety in the hands of ruthless criminals who treat them as commodities. Along migration routes, many migrants suffer extreme violence and abuse at the hands of smugglers, including human trafficking, exploitation, torture, kidnapping and sexual violence2. What can be done by States to counter criminals engaging in migrant smuggling while at the same time protect the human rights of migrants? How to ensure that efforts are focusing on investigating and prosecuting the ringleaders in order to dismantle migrant smuggling networks? Read more

A meeting room with participants of an event sitting behind tables. In the background, a panel with three women and two men. The man sitting at the centre of the panel, is speaking through a microphone. On the wall, a projector screen displays the image of the man speaking.

Launch of the Toolkit on Mainstreaming Gender and Human Rights in the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

Vienna, 28 September 2023. Why does gender equality and human rights matter in normative and policy responses to transnational organized crime? How can States most effectively mainstream gender equality and human rights perspectives into the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)? Such issues, among others, were discussed during a high-level UNGA 78 side event dedicated to the launch of the new UNODC Toolkit on Mainstreaming Gender and Human Rights in the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Read more

A group photo taken in a meeting room arranged in three rows. Behind the participants of a meeting, two roll up banners: on the left side, the roll up banner of Stakeholder Engagement for UNTOC (SE4U) and on the right side, the roll up banner of the UNTOC Review Mechanism.

Role and potential of law enforcement cooperation highlighted at the Constructive Dialogue on International Cooperation

Vienna, 20 September 2023. How can States strengthen law enforcement cooperation to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of transnational organized crime? The practical implementation of Article 27 on law enforcement cooperation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) was the focus of the discussions of the 2023 Constructive Dialogue on International Cooperation which took place in Vienna on 13 September 2023. Read more

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Bosnia and Herzegovina discusses the implementation of its Strategy for Combating Organized Crime

12-13 July 2023, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under the leadership of the BiH Ministry of Security, the relevant law enforcement and other authorities engaged in the implementation of the BiH Strategy Against Organized Crime met to analyze the execution of the Strategy and the follow-up development of the institutional Action Plans. Read more

A group photo taken inside a building with students participating in the Summer School on Transnational Organised Crime.

Summer School on Transnational Organised Crime successfully completed!

Vienna, 3 July 2023. 34 students from several universities across the world participated in the 2023 Summer School on Transnational Organised Crime held in Vienna from 12 June until 23 June 2023. Read more

Interview with Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly featured in the International Review of the Red Cross’ edition on Organized Crime

Vienna, 28 June 2023. What are the linkages between transnational organized crime and corruption in conflict settings? Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, UNODC Executive Director, was interviewed on the challenges posed by the interplay of organized crime and corruption in conflict settings and the responses to them for the latest issue of the International Review of the Red Cross. Read more

A group photo taken in a meeting room with participants of a workshop. On the right side, the flags of Colombia and the United Nations. On the left side, the roll up banner in Spanish of the Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment.

Using the Organized Crime Convention for stronger legislation on illegal mining and trafficking in metals and minerals in Latin America

Cartagena, 16 June 2023. Gold, iron, copper, tin… On one hand, the abundance in minerals and metals in Latin America constitutes a significant source of revenue for many countries in the region. But on the other hand, the illegal exploitation and trafficking of these resources, including in protected areas, undermines security and the rule of law while causing serious harms to the environment and human rights. Read more

A group photo taken in a meeting room with participants of a meeting. On the wall, two projector screens display an image of the room. Behind the participants, two roll up banners: one of the UNTOC Review Mechanism and the other of Stakeholder Engagement for UNTOC (SE4U).

“Building trust” between governments and civil society critical for the prevention of organized crime: highlights from the Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance

Vienna, 8 June 2023. What are the areas in which civil society can contribute to the implementation of UNTOC and how can it support the mainstreaming of human rights and gender considerations in it? How can non-governmental organizations contribute to developing analysis and policies that support States parties in responding to transnational organized crime? Read more

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Achievements of 20 years of UNTOC implementation and way ahead highlighted at CCPCJ side event

Vienna, 26 May 2023. What are the key achievements of 20 years of implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)? How can UNTOC continue to represent an irreplaceable instrument to fight all forms of transnational organized crime in the present and in the future? Read more

Panel with three women and four men, and their name plates. On the wall, two projector screens display the image of a man speaking who is sitting at the center of the panel. Behind the panel, on the left side, a roll up banner with the logo of SE4U Stakeholder Engagement for UNTOC and on the right side, a roll up banner with the logo of the UNTOC Review Mechanism.

Role of civil society in universalization and implementation of the Firearms Protocol highlighted at the 2023 Constructive Dialogue on Firearms

Vienna, 10 May 2023 - Strengthening the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Firearms Protocol through the contribution of civil society, academia and the private sector was one of the key topics of the 2023 Constructive Dialogue on Firearms. Read more

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Experts meet to discuss forthcoming UNODC Toolkit to support States in mainstreaming gender and human rights in the implementation of UNTOC

Vienna, 5 April 2023 - Gender and human rights mainstreaming helps contribute to a society that is more accessible and equitable for all. In the context of organized crime, gender and human rights dimensions help strengthen national normative and policy responses by taking into account the different and complex ways in which men, women, non-binary and gender diverse people experience organized crime and interact with the criminal justice system. Read more

A group photo of the participants of the conference taken inside a room. In the back, banners with words "Implementing UNTOC" and "UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia" are visible.

UNODC supports Central Asia and Southern Caucasus States’ efforts in developing national and regional strategies to counter transnational organized crime

Tashkent, 13 March 2023 - National and regional strategies and plans of action against transnational organized crime play a key role in the fabric of the global response to the threats presented by organized criminal groups. To maximize the efficiency of such strategies and increase their cumulative impact, it is vital to ensure that these documents are comprehensive, coherent and evidence based. Read more

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Bhutan: Bhutan accedes to UNTOC and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol

Thimphu, 20 February 2023 - On 20 February 2023, Bhutan has acceded to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Read more

Crisis and organized crime: building resilient responses

Bangkok, 27 February 2023 - Organized crime – from money-laundering to human trafficking, cybercrime and more – tends to flourish in times of crisis. Quick to exploit vulnerabilities, organized criminal groups seize on lucrative opportunities that have multiplied during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic downturns, natural disasters, and armed conflicts. Read more

A group photo taken outside a building. Both on the left side and on the right side of the photo, a roll up banner of the Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention: from Theory to Practice.

Ecuador prepares its National Strategy against Organized Crime through a participatory and inter-institutional process

Cuenca, 9 February 2023 - In order to provide a holistic and collaborative response to the complex problem of organized crime, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) held the Second Workshop for the Development of the National Strategy against Organized Crime in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, from 7 until 9 February 2023. The work methodology promotes a participatory and inter-institutional process through the approach of four fundamental pillars: prevention, prosecution, protection and promotion of international cooperation. Read more

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Jamaica: A step closer to the finalization of the National Strategy against Organized Crime

Ocho Rios, 3 February 2023 - Supported by UNODC, Jamaica is currently finalizing its National Strategy against Organized Crime, which aims to provide a holistic and collaborative response to this complex problem, while fostering opportunities and prosperity for Jamaica’s people. Read more

4^th Training Week on the UNTOC Review Mechanism and on the use of REVMOD successfully completed

Vienna, 2 February 2023 - 302 focal points, governmental experts, observers, and representatives from Permanent Missions to the United Nations, involved in the Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols thereto (UNTOC Review Mechanism) participated in the online training sessions organized by UNODC from 23 January until 1 February 2023 on the functioning of the Mechanism and on the use of REVMOD, the platform to conduct the country reviews. Read more

UNTOC Review Mechanism's latest milestone: launch of the last group of 64 reviews

Vienna, 1 November 2022 - The Review Mechanism established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) marks today a very important milestone: the launch of the third and final group of 64 country reviews. By launching the last group of country reviews today, all States Parties[1] to the UNTOC are now engaged in the UNTOC Review Mechanism process. Read more

Presentation of the Organized Crime Component of the Education for Justice Initiative (E4J) at the International Seminar "Mafia and Anti-mafia in Europe".

18 April 2018 - The organized crime component of the E4J was invited to present at the International Seminar on "Mafia and Anti-Mafia in Europe", held at the University of Milan, Italy, on 17-19 April 2018. Read more

Global Citizenship Education for a Culture of Lawfulness initiative begins its work

16 March 2018 - Under the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative of UNODC's Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration, CSS/OCB participated in an Expert Consultation Meeting organized in the context of the UNESCO/UNODC partnership on "Global Citizenship Education for a culture of lawfulness", held on 15-16 March at UNESCO headquarters in Paris (France). Read more