On 15 February, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), supported by the Permanent Mission of Italy, launched its new Strategic Programme Framework 2023 – 2026, which lays the foundation for its work over the next four years.

As the UN system’s only dedicated research and training institute focused on crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law, the Strategic Programme Framework considers the changing global criminal landscape and adapts UNICRI’s work to suit the current context.  

Developed through consultations with stakeholders throughout 2022, the Strategic Programme Framework’s central component is its five strategic priorities and three cross-cutting themes of youth, gender and climate.

Joel Hernández, President of the UNICRI Board of Trustees, commended the Institute's specialized programmes in advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law.

“UNICRI is an action-oriented institute that puts its research and recommendations into concrete action. We don’t make the laws, we show how to put them into practice,” he said.

Carolina Lizárraga Houghton, Vice President of the UNICRI Board of Trustees, said the framework outlines the Institute’s substantive priorities in criminal justice and defines how to achieve them.

“We hope the framework will 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.

Antonia De Meo, Director of UNICRI, said the priorities in the Framework will be operationalized through action-oriented research and capacity-building.

“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 framework supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on Goal 16, which entails promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

It also aligns UNICRI’s work with the Secretary-General’s report, Our Common Agenda.

Established in 1968, UNICRI’s mission is to advance justice, security, and the rule of law in support of peace, human rights, and sustainable development.