The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) was adopted by the General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000. It opened for signature by Member States at a High-level Political Conference convened for that purpose in Palermo, Italy, on 12-15 December 2000 and entered into force on 29 September 2003, in accordance with article 38.
The purpose of this Convention is to promote cooperation to prevent and combat transnational organized crime more effectively. It is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. UNTOC is supplemented by three Protocols, which target specific areas and manifestations of organized crime:
- the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children;
- the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and
- the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition.
