What we do

UNICRI works in specialized niches and selected areas related to crime prevention, criminal justice, security governance, counter-terrorism and the risks and benefits of technological advances. The Institute contributes to United Nations policy and operations through its specialized, cutting-edge and action-oriented research, training and capacity-building programmes. Within the scope of its mandate, the Institute serves as a conduit for channelling innovative ideas from within and outside the United Nations system.

In 2022, UNICRI developed its new Strategic Programme Framework for the period 2023–2026.

Building upon the research and findings of the work carried out by UNICRI under the Strategic Programme Framework for the period 2019–2022, the new Framework defines five priorities for the Institute for the period 2023–2026 and identifies youth, gender and climate change as cross-cutting issues.

The five strategic priorities are as follows:

(a) Preventing and countering transnational security threats, terrorism and points of nexus;

(b) Countering criminal enterprises, illicit financial flows and corrupt practices;

(c) Promoting the responsible use of new and emerging technologies to address crime and exploitation;

(d) Preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization; (e) Promoting the rule of law and safeguarding access to justice.

(e) Promoting the rule of law and safeguarding access to justice.

As with its predecessor, the strategic priorities in the Strategic Programme Framework for the period 2023–2026 are aligned with Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are linked to several other Goals, most notably, Goals 2 to 6, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 15.