The Future UN Response to Transnational Organised Crime

Mark Shaw and Ian Tennant

16 June 2026Long Read

Flags of UN member states in front of the UN Office at Vienna. Courtesy of Zuma Press/Alamy.

A Research Article in which the authors examine the evolution of UN responses to transnational organised crime, calling for renewed political will and more flexible forms of cooperation.

Mark Shaw and Ian Tennant assess the evolution, achievements and shortcomings of the UN’s response to transnational organised crime, drawing on historical phases of implementation. They argue that existing approaches have failed to have the desired impact. Renewed political will, institutional reform and more flexible, evidence-driven cooperation are essential if the UN system is to respond effectively in a worsening global security environment.

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