The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 20 Years from Its Adoption

In view of the approaching 20th anniversary, in 2020, of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the present paper identifies and discusses the key strengths and achievements of this international legal instrument and challenges that lie ahead. The paper was written in the context of an academic seminar entitled The Palermo Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 2003–2018: Implementing the Treaty System organized by the University of Ferrara. The paper offers a reflection on what the Convention, the Conference of the Parties thereto, States parties themselves, and the Conference Secretariat have achieved in terms of implementation of the Convention, as well as some food for thought on remaining challenges in this regard.