Publications

UNICRI’s latest methodology, "Analysis of Interconnected Climate Security and Violent Extremism Risks: A Practical Guide for Mauritania," was developed with the generous financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office. This practical and gender-responsive tool provides a structured framework for analysing the complex intersections of climate change and violent extremism risks in Mauritania, enabling more informed, inclusive, and resilient responses.Developed and refined based on insights and recommendations gathered from regional and national workshops in Dakar and Nouakchott, this meth

Climate change and violent extremism risks intersect in complex ways, particularly in regions such as West Africa and the Sahel, where climatic changes exacerbate resource scarcity, displacement, and socio-economic vulnerabilities which are at risk of being exploited by violent extremist groups in the region, intensifying recruitment and instability. Therefore, climate change is increasingly recognized as a "risk multiplier" undermining governance and resilience, creating cycles of vulnerability that hinder adaptation and mitigation efforts. Addressing these intertwined risks requires innovati

Ce rapport met en lumière les discussions, les principaux enseignements et les recommandations concrètes issues de l'atelier national de validation organisé à Nouakchott, en Mauritanie, en décembre 2024. Cet événement a marqué une étape cruciale dans le développement d'une méthodologie adaptée pour aborder les défis interconnectés du changement climatique et de l'extrémisme violent dans le contexte mauritanien.L'atelier a offert une plateforme collaborative réunissant divers acteurs nationaux, notamment des représentants du gouvernement, de la société civile, du monde académique et des organis

The third edition of 1540 Compass focuses on domestic controls and measures to safeguard sensitive materials, as outlined in operative paragraph 3 (a) and (b) of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004). This issue highlights best practices for the secure production, use, storage, and transport of nuclear, chemical, and biological materials, as well as other sensitive items, emphasizing the importance of these measures throughout their entire life cycle.Contributions from across the globe provide rich insights and practical recommendations. Articles from Indonesia discuss

Produced by UNICRI’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics and with the financial support of the European Union (EU), the report explores global public perceptions of AI in law enforcement. It is based on a survey conducted with 670 respondents across six continents over a period of eight months.The findings reveal cautious optimism about AI’s potential in policing, in particular when it comes to investigating serious crimes. However, significant ethical concerns persist, particularly regarding privacy, discrimination, and real-time decision-making. Trust emerged as a key factor

The cycle of conflict, injustice, and environmental collapseThe latest issue of Freedom from Fear confronts some of the most pressing global challenges: the interconnected crises of conflict, environmental degradation, and the pervasive influence of organised crime and violent extremism. In a world marked by ongoing injustice and widening inequalities, this edition explores the cycles of violence that impact both human societies and the planet, underscoring the urgent need for global cooperation and reform.Opening with a reflection on the founding ideals of the United Nations, the issue questi

"In an interconnected world, multilingualism contributes to building trust and making the United Nations more efficient, more representative and more transparent" António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations UNICRI actively participates in the ongoing dialogue on how multilingualism enhances its work and supports the imperatives of the UN, contributing to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also recognises the release of its Framework on Multilingualism as one of the first to follow the United Nations' recently issued Strategic Framework on Multilingualism. T

The UNICRI Centre for AI and Robotics together with the Bracket Foundation and Value for Good, produced a new study: Generative AI: A New Threat for Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. While AI provides enormous benefits to us all, including to law enforcement agencies in dealing with the online exploitation and abuse of children, the same technology - particularly generative AI - creates an unprecedented challenge in combating this horrific crime. Understanding the issue is the first step to combatting it. This study provides: ✔️ a comprehensive overview of the new challenges,

As the global demand for clean energy and digital technologies increases, so does the need for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These essential resources power electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and advanced communication systems. However, this rapid growth in demand is accompanied by significant risks, including illegal mining, organized crime infiltration, human rights violations, and environmental damage, particularly in regions with weak governance. The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals has

Este informe explora las complejas relaciones entre el crimen organizado y el terrorismo en toda América Latina. Presenta estudios de caso que ilustran las diversas formas en que estas conexiones se manifiestan entre varios grupos terroristas y criminales en todo el continente. El Instituto Interregional de las Naciones Unidas para Investigaciones sobre Crimen y Justicia (UNICRI) ha llevado a cabo estudios continuos que destacan cuestiones críticas y vínculos transregionales, lo que requiere un análisis más profundo en otras áreas como África, Oriente Medio y Europa. El análisis se centra e