New York – 15 February 2023: The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), with the support of the Permanent Mission of Italy, today launched its new Strategic Programme Framework (SPF) 2023 – 2026, which lays the foundation for its work over the next four years.
The Framework considers the rapidly changing global criminal landscape. Criminal networks, alliances, and economies are adapting in sophisticated, transnational, and interconnected ways that allow the expansion of their reach, influence, profit, and impact, while distinct threats are converging and providing new opportunities for criminal enterprises and exploitation to flourish.
As the United Nation system’s only dedicated research and training institute focused on
crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law, this new Framework ensures that UNICRI’s work is suited to the changing landscape of our times.
The central component of the Framework, which was developed through consultations with various stakeholders throughout 2022, is its five strategic priorities, complemented by three cross-cutting themes of youth, gender, and climate change.
Speaking at the launch, Ms. Carolina Lizárraga Houghton, Vice President of the UNICRI Board of Trustees, said the new Framework both outlines the substantive priorities for UNICRI in the criminal justice field and defines how the Institute will achieve them. She added that the interconnected priorities and cross-cutting themes in the Strategic Programme Framework will be the Institute’s guide for the next four years.
“Grounded in UNICRI’s long history and deep expertise, we are gathered here today to share with you what Member States can look forward to in UNICRI’s future, and we appreciate the support from each of you. We hope it will also be your reference point for how UNICRI can support you to realize your national and regional priorities and deepen the partnerships between us,” she said.
Complementing this, Ms. Antonia Marie De Meo, Director of UNICRI, emphasized that the priorities contained in the Strategic Programme Framework are not aspirational, but will be operationalized through the Institute’s action-oriented research and capacity-building.
“All our work over the next four years will align to our mandate and link directly to these strategic priorities. The five priority areas, taken together with UNICRI’s integrated and tailored approaches, ensure the Institute’s work remains valued, responsive, relevant, and aligned to the needs of Member States and the broader international community,” she said.
The five strategic priorities are:
- Preventing and countering transnational security threats, terrorism, and points of nexus;
- Countering criminal enterprises, illicit financial flows, and corrupt practices;
- Promoting responsible use of new and emerging technologies to address crime and exploitation;
- Preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization; and
- Promoting rule of law and safeguarding access to justice.
The Framework supports the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular focus on Goal 16, which comprises the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and the building of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. It also aligns UNICRI’s work to the United Nations Secretary-General’s report: “Our Common Agenda” and its perspective of security and rule of law as critical elements for sustainable development across the world.
Established in 1968, the UNICRI’s mission is to advance justice, security, and the rule of law in support of peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
Media contacts
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Matilda Moyo, Public Information Officer, UNICRI. Tel: +39 338 642 8537. Email: moyo1(at)un.org
Ms. Marina Mazzini, Associate Public Information Officer, UNICRI. Tel: +39 338 140 2834. Email: marina.mazzini(at)un.org
