Abu Dhabi hosts landmark UN Congress on crime prevention and criminal justice

The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice opened in Abu Dhabi this week, bringing together ministers, judges and experts from 97 countries to shape international responses to emerging criminal threats and digital transformation.

Abu Dhabi has assumed the global stage as host of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, an influential forum that convenes the world’s leading justice and security officials to advance international cooperation on law enforcement and the rule of law.

Held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and running through 1 October, the congress represents a significant gathering of more than 32 ministers of justice and interior from across the globe, alongside senior judges, prosecutors, international organisations, civil society representatives and youth delegates from nearly 97 countries.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, with His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Federal Judicial Council, delivering the Emirates’ keynote address. The occasion marked a formal handover of congress stewardship from Japan, whose Minister of Justice Hiroshi Hiraguchi attended to commemorate the continuity of this quinquennial gathering.

Building consensus on digital-age challenges

The congress operates under the overarching theme of Accelerating Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law: Protecting People and Planet and Achieving the 2030 Agenda in the Digital Age. Minister Al Nuaimi emphasised that the gathering occurs at a pivotal historical moment, as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape societies whilst simultaneously creating novel vectors for crime and exploitation.

“Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and multi-agent intelligent systems are increasingly capable of performing highly complex tasks and driving profound changes across all aspects of society,” he noted, whilst underscoring the imperative to balance technological advancement with safeguarding security, protecting victims and ensuring accountability.

The congress programme encompasses 15 major events, 93 expert speakers, approximately 200 side meetings and 38 exhibition stands, creating a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange and practical collaboration. Discussions span organised and transnational crime, cybercrime, online fraud, trafficking in persons, money laundering, terrorism financing and environmental crime.

The Abu Dhabi Declaration and international priorities

A principal outcome of the congress is the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, a strategic policy document structured around four pillars: prevention and resilience, justice and the rule of law, evolving and converging criminal threats, and innovation and cooperation. Comprising 18 articles and 67 paragraphs, the declaration will guide international priorities over the coming five years.

The UAE has championed several priorities within the declaration, including women’s participation in justice systems, child protection, responsible artificial intelligence governance and environmental security. The document addresses critical contemporary challenges including organised crime, cybercrime, victim protection, anti-corruption efforts, international cooperation mechanisms and mutual legal assistance frameworks.

Pledging practical support for implementation

Demonstrating its commitment to translating declarations into tangible outcomes, the UAE launched Pledge4Justice, a platform designed to mobilise practical initiatives supporting the declaration’s implementation. The Emirates announced an initial financial commitment of up to US$5 million, disbursed through annual contributions of up to US$1 million across the five-year period from 2026 to 2031.

This pledge aims to support countries and institutions in developing criminal justice capacity, implementing practical programmes and enhancing systems’ readiness to address contemporary and emerging challenges.

Minister Al Nuaimi articulated the UAE’s foundational conviction that international cooperation remains fundamental to addressing contemporary justice challenges. He highlighted the nation’s extensive network of bilateral and multilateral agreements covering civil and criminal matters, which extend beyond legal mechanisms to strengthen trust between nations, facilitate investment and promote international stability.

Youth perspectives on justice

The congress incorporated the Young Voices for Justice Forum, which convened over 30 young people from the UAE alongside international youth counterparts to contribute perspectives on crime prevention and criminal justice issues. Their formal recommendations were presented to UAE authorities for integration into the broader congress outcomes.

As a five-year summit occurring once per decade, the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has served as a leading global platform for developing crime prevention policies and advancing the rule of law for over seven decades, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange among governments, international organisations and expert communities worldwide.

Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office