High-Level Event to commemorate the first International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime

Background                                                       

Transnational organized crime continues to pose some of the most pressing global challenges in the 21st century. Criminal networks worldwide are exploiting globalization, technological advances, and the interconnectedness of financial systems to operate across borders with increasing sophistication. Criminal activities destabilize governments, undermine the rule of law, and pose serious threats to global peace, security, and development.

In response to this growing threat, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), also known as the Palermo Convention, was adopted by the General Assembly on 15 November 2000. The Convention, supplemented by three Protocols, sets forth a comprehensive legally binding framework aimed at facilitating international cooperation to prevent and combat transnational organized crime, including in its new and emerging forms.

In March 2024, the General Assembly adopted resolution 78/267, in which it decided to declare 15 November the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime.

Through the resolution, the General Assembly, commemorating 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 the Italian Judge Giovanni Falcone, whose work and sacrifice paved the way for the adoption of the Convention, invited all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other global and regional organizations, within existing resources, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, academia and the media, to commemorate the International Day in an appropriate manner, including through educational and public awareness-raising activities, and to share best practices in this regard.

In the same resolution, the General Assembly further invited UNODC, in collaboration with other relevant entities, to facilitate the observance of the International Day. In this light, the theme that has been selected for this year’s International Day commemoration is: “Organized crime steals, corrupts and kills. It’s time we pull together to push back”.

The observance of this International Day provides a platform for governments, international organizations and civil society to come together and strengthen efforts against the various manifestations of transnational organized crime and their impact on our societies.

The devastating impact of organized crime threatens lives, destabilizes communities and hinders economic and social development. But despite these challenges, there is hope. This day serves as a rallying point for action, demonstrating that collective efforts — by governments, the private sector, civil society and individuals — can achieve real change. #StopOrganizedCrime.

This year’s International Day is a call to:

• Raise Awareness: Shine a light on the far-reaching impacts of organized crime on communities, economies and governance systems across the globe.
• Foster Global Collaboration: Encourage stronger partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector to address the cross-border nature of organized crime and develop joint solutions.
• Empower Communities: Highlight grassroots efforts and community-led initiatives that build resilience against organized crime. Focus on prevention strategies to tackle the root causes of organized crime and empower local responses.
• Promote Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Share innovative tools, strategies and best practices to combat organized crime while strengthening the capacity of law enforcement, the justice sector and communities.
• Support Policy Development: Advocate for policies that address the root causes and consequences of organized crime, reinforcing governance, the rule of law and human rights.
• Leverage Technology for Change: Acknowledge both the threats and opportunities posed by technology in the fight against organized crime, from the rise of cybercrime to the use of tech in more effective detection, prevention and responses.

The High-level event

The High-level event builds upon the discussions held during the Ministerial Event organized on 14 October 2024, in the margins of the 12th session of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC, which launched a one-month campaign for the commemoration of the International Day.  

The event will provide an opportunity for States and stakeholders to reflect on the importance of the International Day to foster the development and implementation of coordinated responses to transnational organized crime in all its manifestations. In so doing, speakers will note the national experiences and practices in preventing and countering transnational organized crime, including in response to the evolving nature of transnational organized crime in the various geographical and socioeconomic contexts.

Speakers will further reflect on the outcomes of the 12th session of the Conference of Parties to UNTOC, which concluded its work on 18 October 2024, as well as  on the future of the implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto, including in light of the operation of the Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the Conventions and the Protocols thereto.

The event will take place from 11:30 – 12:30 in Conference Room CR1, C-building, second floor, Vienna International Centre (VIC).