Mission and Statute

As the United Nations entity mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and nongovernmental organizations in their efforts to formulate and implement improved policies in the fields of crime prevention and justice administration, UNICRI acts with its partners in the international community to:

• advance understanding of crime-related problems;
• foster just and efficient criminal justice systems;
• support the respect of international instruments and other standards;
• facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance.

What UNICRI does...

With more than 50 years of international action, UNICRI has acquired a unique experience in dealing with crime and justice problems within broader policies for socio-economic change and development, and the protection of human rights.

UNICRI supports other international organizations, national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, academic and educational institutions and the communities at the large, through:

• quantitative and qualitative analysis;
• establishing a reliable base of knowledge and information;
• identifying appropriate strategies, policies and instruments;
• designing practical models and systems;
• design and implementation of training and technical cooperation activities at the interregional level and national levels;
• exchange and dissemination of information/documentation worldwide to respond to the need of the international community;
• provision of advisory services.

As part of the United Nations, UNICRI sets its activities in accordance with the priorities indicated by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The Institute maintains close working relations with UN bodies and agencies, particularly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In its operations, UNICRI has as partners a wide range of intergovernmental and governmental institutions, as well as academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.

UNICRI is presently ruled by the Statute adopted by ECOSOC with Resolution No. 1989/56 of 24 May 1989.