At its 12th session, the U.N. Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice recommended that U.N. standards and norms be grouped into four categories for the purpose of targeted collection of information, in order to better identify the specific needs of member states and to provide an analytical framework, with a view to improving technical cooperation. The four categories, set forth by Economic and Social Council resolution 2003/30 of July 22, 2003, are: a) standards and norms related primarily to persons in custody, non-custodial sanctions, and juvenile and restorative justice; b) standards and norms related primarily to legal, institutional, and practical arrangements for international cooperation; c) standards and norms related primarily to crime prevention and victim issues; and d) standards and norms related primarily to good governance, the independence of the judiciary, and the integrity of criminal justice personnel. The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to convene an intergovernmental expert group meeting to prepare proposals to be considered by the Commission at its 13th session, in relation to the design of information-gathering instruments that were short, simple, complete, and understandable in relation to the selected groups of standards and norms; and new ways and means for maximizing the effectiveness of technical assistance to member states in specific areas of crime prevention and criminal justice. This report provides the Commission with a short analysis of replies from member states and relevant non-governmental organizations regarding resolution 2003/30, a summary of the outcome of the intergovernmental expert group meeting, a short overview of activities undertaken in order to disseminate U.N. standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, and a description of advisory services and technical cooperation activities delivered in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice. Notes