The UN recognizes crime threatens the safety of citizens around the world and believes international cooperation against crime is essential due to the liberalization and globalization of markets and finances and the use of advanced technology in the fields of transport, communication, and banking. In addition to forging international cooperation, the UN promotes assistance to countries to help them bolster domestic criminal justice systems and learn from each other's experiences. A brief history of international cooperation against crime is presented, the costs of crime are discussed, and crime prevention activities of the UN's Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice are examined. Congresses convened by the UN on crime prevention and offender treatment are considered, along with technical cooperation and advisory services offered by the UN and institutions affiliated and associated with the UN. Appendixes contain supplemental information on standards for the treatment of prisoners, cruel and degrading punishment, the conduct of law enforcement officials, protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, crime prevention in the context of economic development, judicial independence, foreign prisoners, juvenile justice, crime victims, the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials, lawyers and prosecutors, extradition, and international terrorism.