Reflecting on progress, shaping the future: As it reaches the midpoint of its Strategic Programme Framework (SPF) 2023–2026, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, is convening a consultation with Member States on 12 June 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting aims to review key achievements, identify emerging challenges, and initiate a forward-looking dialogue on future priorities in the fields of crime prevention, justice, and security.

A legacy of impact: UNICRI traces its origins to 1965. As the international community marks 60 years since ECOSOC’s landmark call to establish UNICRI, this moment offers a chance to reaffirm shared commitments and shape a path forward together, towards justice, security, and human dignity.

Over the decades, the Institute has evolved into a unique centre for action-oriented research, training, capacity-building, and technical cooperation. It operates across both traditional and emerging domains - from organized crime and terrorism to cybercrime, trafficking in cultural property, illicit trade, and criminal justice innovation.

Working hand-in-hand with Member States, UNICRI supports the development of evidence-based policies and delivers targeted programmes. Its multi-sectoral and adaptive approach ensures that responses are tailored to national, regional, and global needs.

The Strategic Programme Framework: Adopted in 2022 following a robust consultative process - featuring 135 stakeholder consultations, the analysis of nearly 100 sources, and engagement with 49 Member States - the SPF 2023–2026 outlines five strategic priorities.

Strategic priorities:

   Preventing and countering transnational security threats, terrorism, and points of nexus

   Countering criminal enterprises, illicit financial flows, and corrupt practices

   Promoting the responsible use of new and emerging technologies to address crime and exploitation

   Preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization

   Promoting the rule of law and safeguarding access to justice

These priorities guide UNICRI’s work in addressing complex threats to peace, security, and development.

Adapting to a changing landscape: Today’s global environment is marked by rapidly shifting dynamics. The convergence of terrorism and organized crime, the accelerated development of new technologies and growing geopolitical tensions that challenge multilateral cooperation – all of which require agile and anticipatory responses.

This mid-term consultation provides a vital opportunity for Member States to:

•    Reflect on progress and key lessons learned since the adoption of the SPF
•   Identify potential recalibrations for the remainder of the current cycle
•   Exchange views on emerging priorities and concerns in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice
•   Initiate dialogue on UNICRI’s strategic direction beyond 2026

Other events

Culture of Legality: The Province of Caserta for a New Model for International Development Caserta, Italy Thursday, May 29, 2025

Side Event at the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): Frontier Technologies and Criminal Justice: Human Rights Implications in Focus
Date and Time: 22 May 2025, 11:30 CEST
Venue: MOE100, Vienna International Centre and Online (Hybrid Format)
Organisers: Organized by the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations in Viennawith the support of France, the UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section (CPCJS) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).

Side Event at the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): Crimes That Affect the Environment – Launch of the Minerals Crimes Study
Date and time: Tuesday, 20 May at 13:00
Venue: Hybrid (M6) link
Organisers: UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch with the support of France, Peru and UNICRI

Side Event at the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ):  Addressing new, emerging, and evolving forms of crime, including crimes that affect the environment, smuggling of commercial goods, and trafficking in cultural property and other crimes targeting cultural heritage
Date and time: 19 May 2025, 3:00-6:00 PM.
Venue: Hybrid, Vienna International Centre, Press Room; link 
Organisers: The United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network Institutes (PNI)