The day aims to raise awareness of transnational organized crime, which consists of planned unlawful activities carried out by structured groups across borders for profit or authority.

These offenses are linked worldwide schemes that threaten lives, destabilize governments, and harm economies rather than individual acts.

Among transnational organized crimes are:

  • Human trafficking and smuggling
  • Trafficking in arms and narcotics
  • Cybercrime and identity theft
  • Corruption and money laundering
  • Unlawful environmental and wildlife commerce
  • Financing of terrorism and organ trafficking

Observance encourages group action from enhancing international laws and networks of intelligence to enable local communities by means of awareness and prevention.

History

The origins of this celebration are in the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), sometimes referred to as the Palermo Convention, approved by the UN General Assembly, Palermo, Italy, November 15, 2000.

Three main protocols were established by this historic agreement to advance global collaboration against organized crime:

  • Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
  • Protocol against the Land, Sea, and Air Smuggling of Migrants
  • Protocol Against the Illegal Manufacturing and Trafficking in Guns

This day celebrates this worldwide promise to combat transnational crime, acknowledging that conquering criminal organizations running beyond boundaries depends on legal, social, and technological combined efforts.