In the late 1990's, the United Nations stressed the priority of a draft convention to address the global threats from transnational organized crime. In December 2000, the UN Convention on Transnational Crime was approved and signed in Palermo. The Treaty is expected to be initiated when a minimum of 40 U.N. members ratify it in approximately 2004. This excerpt summarizes the main provisions of the Convention and provides an interpretation of the goals. There are two principal objectives of the Treaty: (1) eliminate differences among national legal systems; and (2) set minimum common standards for domestic law to achieve effective global cooperation. The Convention consisted of 41 articles and 2 separate protocols. Countries that ratify the Convention and protocols are expected to take measures against transnational organized crime. Four specific crimes were established which include: participation in criminal groups, money laundering, corruption, and obstruction of justice. Three protocols, adopted in Palermo established additional crimes and include: to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking of humans; to prevent the smuggling of migrants by land, air, and sea; and to stop the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition. The latter protocol was still under negotiation. A newly designed legal instrument explained how countries could improve cooperation on extradition, mutual legal assistance, transfer of proceedings, and joint investigations, as well as provisions for victim and witness protection and protecting legal markets from infiltration. Those involved in the Treaty will offer technical assistance to developing countries in taking the necessary steps to handle organized crime.