The nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, posing a concrete threat to international peace, security and the development of states. Many regions see close linkages between terrorist and criminal groups, exploiting porous borders and weak governance.
Member States have expressed increasing concerns about terrorists benefiting from organized crime as a source of financing or logistical support, through the illicit trafficking in goods and many other criminal activities. Numerous Security Council resolutions have addressed this growing phenomenon and since 2016, UNICRI is supporting Member States to strengthen their capacities by sharing knowledge and promoting a comprehensive approach to the threat.
Thanks to the partnerships with the Government of the Netherlands and the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), UNICRI has developed The Hague Good Practices on the Nexus between Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism and the first global Policy Toolkit. Through its flagship Policy Toolkit, UNICRI has trained practitioners from law enforcement, the judiciary and civil society in Kenya and Albania. Each of the training courses organized were tailored to the specific national and regional contexts and needs.
UNICRI makes extensive use of the available technology to ensure the trainings in person and online (especially during the COVID 19 pandemic) are informative as well as dynamic to favour the full engagement of participants. By using video animations of real case scenario-setting exercises, we ensure that participants can interact and solve the specific challenges they face in performing their duties.
UNICRI has also recently conducted three capacity-building workshops in Chad, Mali and Mauritania in partnership with UNODC and the governments of Germany and France. UNICRI’s practical training has proven to be effective in enhancing expertise and contributing to the practitioners' portfolio, ensuring the full understanding of the linkages between transnational organized crime and terrorism and knowledge of the instruments to prevent and counter them. Investigating, prosecuting, disrupting, and dismantling the trafficking networks linked to the nexus between terrorism and transnational organized crime is a priority, especially in the achievement of Goal 16 of the UN 2030 Agenda.
