The Global Organized Crime Index 2025 – Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC)

Global Organized Crime: A Critical Obstacle to the Sustainable Development Goals

The proliferation of illicit economies presents a fundamental challenge to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Organized crime actively undermines progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by exploiting global disruptions, eroding democratic institutions, and threatening international peace and security. This report analyzes key findings from the Global Organized Crime Index, framing them within the context of the SDGs to highlight the urgent need for integrated policy responses.

Analysis of Illicit Economies and Criminal Actors

Evolving Criminal Markets and Threats to Global Goals

Data from the latest Index reveals significant shifts in the global criminal economy, with direct and adverse impacts on specific SDGs. These trends demonstrate the adaptability of criminal networks in capitalizing on socio-economic and technological changes.

• Dominance of Synthetic Drugs and Cocaine: The rapid expansion of these markets poses a severe threat to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The interconnectedness of trafficking networks exacerbates this public health crisis on a global scale.
• Rise of Non-Violent Financial and Cyber-Dependent Crimes: These “invisible” crimes directly subvert SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by undermining financial systems and eroding public trust. They compromise efforts to reduce illicit financial flows (SDG 16.4) and develop accountable institutions (SDG 16.6), while also exploiting the digital infrastructure critical to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• Pervasiveness of Counterfeiting: Fueled by economic instability and job insecurity, the counterfeit goods market undermines SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by damaging legitimate businesses and distorting trade. It also impacts SDG 1 (No Poverty) by exploiting consumers with diminished purchasing power while failing to provide sustainable economic opportunities.

Typology of Criminal Actors and Implications for SDG 16

The Index identifies the actors driving illicit economies, whose activities are a direct impediment to achieving peaceful, just, and inclusive societies as envisioned in SDG 16.

1. State-Embedded Actors: As the most prevalent criminal actors, their activities represent a profound betrayal of public trust and a direct assault on SDG 16.5 (substantially reduce corruption and bribery) and SDG 16.6 (develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions).
2. Foreign Actors: This group registered the sharpest increase, underscoring the transnational nature of organized crime. This trend complicates national efforts and necessitates strengthening international cooperation, a key component of SDG 16.a.
3. Private Sector Actors: The increasing role of private entities as facilitators in logistics, finance, and technology highlights a critical vulnerability. This involvement runs counter to the principles of responsible business conduct essential for achieving SDG 8 and SDG 9.

Resilience Against Organized Crime: A Stagnating Pillar of the 2030 Agenda

Plateauing Resilience and Weakening International Cooperation

While criminal markets are expanding, global resilience measures have stagnated. A particularly concerning trend is the erosion of international cooperation, which is the cornerstone of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). A fractured international system and a retreat from multilateralism directly inhibit the collective action required to combat transnational organized crime. This decline in cooperation is especially alarming in the year marking the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, a key instrument for achieving SDG 16.

Recommendations for Aligning Anti-Crime Efforts with Sustainable Development

A Framework for Action

The Index serves not only as a record of vulnerabilities but as a tool for solutions. The data provides a clear pathway for aligning the fight against organized crime with the broader objectives of the 2030 Agenda.

• Strengthen Resilience to Advance SDG 16: The Index demonstrates a statistical link between strengthening key resilience areas and reducing the influence of state-embedded actors. Investing in justice systems, anti-corruption measures, and civil society empowerment can yield measurable progress towards the targets of SDG 16.
• Utilize Evidence for Integrated Policymaking: Governments, policymakers, and international bodies are urged to use the Index’s evidence base to guide reforms. Addressing organized crime should not be a siloed effort but an integral part of national and international strategies for achieving the SDGs.
• Recommit to Multilateralism for SDG 17: The fight against transnational crime is a shared responsibility. Reinvigorating international partnerships is essential for transforming knowledge into effective policy and urgency into coordinated action, thereby safeguarding the entire sustainable development framework.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article’s central theme is organized crime, which it states is “undermining democracy, the sovereignty of states, and even international peace and security.” This directly connects to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. The text emphasizes the erosion of the “rules-based order” and the need to “strengthen institutions” to build resilience against crime, which are core components of SDG 16.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the transnational nature of organized crime, noting that “criminal groups are increasingly mobile and that there is closer transnational cooperation between them.” It points to a “fractured international system and a retreat from multilateralism” as a major challenge. The conclusion calls for “governments, policymakers, civil society and international actors to use the Index as a shared evidence base,” which is a direct appeal for the multi-stakeholder partnerships central to SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.
   • The article is entirely focused on combating organized crime. It specifically identifies and tracks various forms of illicit economies, such as markets for “synthetic drugs and cocaine,” “financial and cyber-dependent crimes,” and “counterfeiting,” all of which fall under this target.
2. Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
   • The article’s finding that “state-embedded actors are the most prevalent criminal actors” directly points to corruption within government and public institutions. Measuring the influence of these actors is a way of tracking progress against this target.
3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The article introduces the concept of “resilience” to organized crime and explicitly states that “by strengthening key areas of resilience we can reduce the influence of state-embedded actors.” This directly relates to the goal of building effective institutions capable of resisting and combating crime.
4. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.
   • The article explicitly discusses “international cooperation” as a key resilience measure. It notes a “worrying trend” that “states are less willing to cooperate to fight crime,” directly addressing the challenge outlined in this target.
5. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
   • The article presents the Global Organized Crime Index as a “shared evidence base to transform knowledge into policy.” The call for “governments, policymakers, civil society and international actors” to use the tool embodies the principle of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sharing knowledge and guiding action.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. The Global Organized Crime Index
   • The article presents the Index itself as the primary indicator, describing it as a “tool for measuring crime” and a “mirror reflecting what is going on within states.” Its data sets are used to “track and compare how criminal markets and actors have evolved.”
2. Prevalence of Criminal Markets
   • The Index tracks specific criminal markets. The article mentions shifts in the “synthetic drugs and cocaine” markets, the rise of “financial and cyber-dependent crimes,” and the pervasiveness of “counterfeiting.” The size and growth of these markets serve as direct indicators for Target 16.4.
3. Prevalence of Criminal Actors
   • The Index measures the influence of different types of criminal actors. The article highlights findings related to “state-embedded actors,” “foreign actors,” and “private sector actors.” The prevalence of state-embedded actors is a direct indicator of corruption (Target 16.5).
4. Resilience Scores
   • The article states that “the Index measures resilience.” These scores, which have “plateaued,” serve as a composite indicator for the effectiveness of institutions (Target 16.6) and a state’s overall capacity to combat organized crime.
5. International Cooperation Score
   • The article explicitly names “international cooperation” as one of the “12 resilience indicators.” The performance of this specific indicator is used to measure the willingness of states to work together to fight crime, directly relating to Target 16.a.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: globalinitiative.net