Since 1955 United Nations Crime Congresses have been the primary global forum for presenting and developing criminal justice policies and coordinating international action. The Ninth Congress focused on selected substantive topics that reflect the urgent needs and priorities of the world community in the crime control field of today. Under the general theme, "Less Crime, More Justice: Security for All," the Congress discussed the following issues: international cooperation and practical technical assistance for strengthening the rule of law; action against national and transnational economic and organized crime, as well as the role of criminal law in the protection of the environment; management and improvement of police and criminal justice systems; and strategies for preventing urban crime, violent criminality, and juvenile crime. During the Congress, demonstration and research workshops were held on mass media and crime prevention; extradition; urban policy and crime prevention; international cooperation in the management of criminal justice systems, including computerization of records and the use of information; prevention of violent crime; and potential and limits of criminal law in the protection of the environment. Follow-up action will focus on international cooperation in criminal matters, links between organized transnational crime and terrorist crimes, the role of criminal law in the protection of the environment, children as victims and perpetrators of crime, the elimination of violence against women, the management and administration of criminal justice and related systems, prison conditions, victims of crime and abuse of power, and the establishment of a regional center for training and research in crime prevention and criminal justice for Mediterranean states.