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:
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:
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.