Report on the 27th Annual CAF Conference Panel: Transnational Organized Crime and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

On September 5, 2024, a panel at the 27th Annual CAF Conference addressed the impact of Transnational Organized Crime (TCO) on development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The discussion highlighted how criminal activities present a direct impediment to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly goals related to peace, economic stability, and institutional strength.

Key Findings: The Nexus of Crime and Sustainable Development

• Economic Sabotage: Transnational crime costs the region an estimated 3.5 percent of its GDP annually, directly undermining SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by diverting critical resources from development initiatives.
• Erosion of Governance: TCOs weaken democratic institutions through corruption and political infiltration, representing a primary threat to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• Social Destabilization: The panel identified inequality, poverty, and lack of opportunity as key drivers of crime, demonstrating a vicious cycle that obstructs progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Humanitarian Impact: The convergence of organized crime with migration flows exacerbates human trafficking and smuggling, directly contravening targets within SDG 16 and SDG 10.
• Environmental Degradation: Illicit activities such as illegal mining were identified as a component of TCO operations, impacting SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Challenges to SDG Achievement

1. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The region’s status as the most violent in the world, with the highest homicide rates, is a fundamental barrier. TCOs function as sophisticated corporate entities that dismantle governance from within, making the establishment of peaceful and just societies exceptionally difficult. Illicit firearms trafficking, fueling over 70 percent of regional homicides, further compromises this goal.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The panel noted that poverty and social exclusion create vulnerabilities that TCOs exploit, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, including children and migrants. This deepens existing inequalities rather than reducing them.
3. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The proliferation of firearms was explicitly linked to a rise in gender-based violence, indicating that TCO activities create specific threats to the safety and empowerment of women.
4. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The competition for territorial dominance by criminal groups undermines citizen security and prevents the development of safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.

Proposed Strategies and Alignment with the 2030 Agenda

• Enhance Global Partnerships (SDG 17): Panelists universally called for a coordinated hemispheric response, including a security summit, stronger cross-border agreements, and improved intelligence sharing. This aligns directly with the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
• Strengthen Institutions and Justice (SDG 16): Recommendations included adopting multidimensional security strategies that target the financial, operational, and administrative structures of TCOs. The OAS proposed creating multisectoral coalitions and increasing investment in technology and human capital to bolster institutional capacity.
• Promote Inclusive Economic Growth (SDG 8 & SDG 1): The consensus was that enforcement alone is insufficient. Long-term solutions require layered social policies that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of opportunity, thereby fostering sustainable economic development.
• Foster Inclusive Societies (SDG 5 & SDG 11): The importance of community-based approaches was highlighted, with a specific emphasis on engaging women and mothers to build local resilience against criminal influence, contributing to safer and more inclusive communities.

Conclusion

The panel concluded that combating transnational organized crime is not merely a security issue but a prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean. Progress toward the 2030 Agenda is contingent upon a holistic, multidimensional strategy that dismantles criminal networks while simultaneously addressing the underlying social and economic vulnerabilities they exploit. This requires an unwavering commitment to strengthening institutions, fostering inclusive development, and reinforcing international cooperation, fully embodying the principles of SDG 16 and SDG 17.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article on transnational organized crime in the Western Hemisphere touches upon several interconnected issues that align with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis identifies the following SDGs as being directly relevant:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article identifies poverty as a fundamental driver of migration and vulnerability to crime, directly linking the lack of economic well-being to the security crisis.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – A specific connection is made between firearms trafficking and its role in fueling gender-based violence, highlighting a critical gender dimension of organized crime.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The economic impact of crime is quantified, and illicit activities like human trafficking are discussed, which fall under the goal of eradicating forced labor and promoting sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Inequality and lack of opportunity are cited as root causes that drive individuals towards crime and irregular migration, making this SDG central to the long-term solution.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article explicitly mentions “illegal mining” and “environmental crimes” as significant revenue sources for transnational criminal organizations, linking their activities to environmental degradation.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – This is the most prominent SDG in the article, which focuses on violence (high homicide rates), organized crime, corruption, illicit financial and arms flows, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article repeatedly emphasizes the need for “hemispheric collaboration,” “coordinated action,” “intelligence sharing,” and “multisectoral coalitions,” which are the core principles of this goal.

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

Based on the specific problems and solutions discussed, the following SDG targets can be identified:

• Under SDG 5: Gender Equality
  • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls. This is relevant due to the statement that firearms trafficking fuels “gender-based violence.”
• Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.7: Eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking. The article identifies “human trafficking and migrant smuggling” as the second-highest revenue source for criminal groups.
• Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. This is addressed by the call to tackle “inequality, poverty, and social exclusion” as long-term solutions to citizen insecurity.
  • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration. The discussion on the “regional migration crisis” and its connection to organized crime directly relates to this target.
• Under SDG 15: Life on Land
  • Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species. While not about wildlife specifically, the mention of “environmental crimes” and “illegal mining” as key criminal activities aligns with the broader intent of this target to combat illicit exploitation of natural resources.
• Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. This is directly addressed by the statement that Latin America and the Caribbean has the “highest homicide rates globally.”
  • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children. The article notes that poverty and crime have a “disproportionate impact on children.”
  • Target 16.4: Significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows… and combat all forms of organized crime. This is a central theme, with mentions of “money laundering,” “drug trafficking,” “arms trafficking,” and the need to “follow the money.”
  • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms. The article highlights how criminal groups use “corruption” to “influence politics” and “infiltrate governments.”
  • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation. The repeated calls for a “hemispheric security summit,” “cross-border agreements,” and “intelligence sharing” directly support this target.
• Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The call for a “hemispheric security summit” and a “coordinated action plan” reflects the need for enhanced partnerships between countries.
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. This is directly supported by the OAS proposal for “creating multisectoral coalitions involving public, private, and multilateral actors.”

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

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative points that can serve as indicators to measure progress:

• Homicide Rate (Indicator 16.1.1): The article explicitly states the region has the “highest homicide rates globally.” Tracking this rate is a direct measure of progress in reducing violence. The fact that “over 70 percent of regional homicides [are] committed with firearms” provides a more specific sub-indicator.
• Economic Cost of Crime: The statement that “transnational crime costs the region 3.5 percent of GDP annually” serves as a key economic indicator. A reduction in this percentage would signify progress in mitigating the economic impact of crime.
• Scale of Illicit Activities: The article ranks the top revenue sources for TCOs (“financial crimes,” “human trafficking,” “environmental crimes,” etc.). While not providing absolute values, tracking the scale and revenue of these illicit economies would be a direct indicator of the effectiveness of efforts against organized crime (related to Target 16.4).
• Prevalence of Human Trafficking: The identification of “human trafficking and migrant smuggling” as the second-largest revenue source for TCOs implies that the number of victims or the estimated value of this illicit trade can be used as an indicator for Target 8.7.
• Volume of Undocumented Migration: The mention of the “sheer scale of undocumented migration” and efforts to screen entrants suggests that data on migration flows and interdictions are used as indicators to understand the intersection of migration and crime (related to Target 10.7).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: thedialogue.org