Global Policing Leadership Converges in Dubai for Fifth World Police Summit

More than 220 leaders from law enforcement, technology and governance will gather at the Dubai World Trade Centre this month to shape the future of public safety through international collaboration and innovation.

The World Police Summit returns to Dubai this November with an expanded vision of global cooperation. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the fifth edition opens on 16 November and runs across three days of sessions, panel discussions and an international exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Summit gathers more than 220 professionals representing law enforcement, the private sector and academia across more than 90 countries. Fifteen thematic tracks will explore the pressing challenges facing modern policing, from transnational crime to digital security and wildlife protection. One hundred and fifty plus exhibitors will showcase emerging technologies, demonstrating how public and private sectors can work in concert to enhance public safety.

Colonel Dr. Rashid Hamdan Al Ghafri, Secretary-General of the World Police Summit and Deputy Director of Dubai Police’s General Department of Forensics and Criminology for Administrative Affairs, emphasised the collaborative spirit underpinning the event. “No police force faces today’s threats alone, and the ones that matter most do not stop at borders. This edition is built to turn conversations into partnerships and ideas into practical solutions that make communities safer.”

A new feature this year, an International Organisations Pavilion brings together six organisations including the Gulf Cooperation Council Police alongside ASEANAPOL, CARICOM, UNODC, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Interior. This convergence of regional and international bodies underscores the growing recognition that effective policing requires seamless coordination across borders and institutional frameworks.

The theme “Connected for Impact: Uniting Global Policing to Safeguard Future Generations” reflects an industry increasingly focused on technology as a force multiplier. Rick Smith, Founder and CEO of Axon Enterprise, noted that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies will fundamentally reshape how nations protect their citizens. “The safest nations will be the ones that connect their data, their platforms and their partners,” he observed.

The Summit also recognises excellence through the World Police Summit Awards, spanning thirteen categories and honouring achievements across law enforcement and security. Winners will be announced on 9 November, with the ceremony held on the final day.

Notable speakers include Stephen Nutt, Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police; Stephen Fry, Executive Director for Investigation Support at Interpol; and Peter Nilsson, Police Commissioner of AIRPOL, alongside ministers and heads of international organisations. Panche Toshkovski, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, will share how his nation achieved a twenty-year low in crime through dismantling transnational syndicates and tackling systemic corruption.

Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, will address wildlife crime as a transnational organised crime requiring coordinated global responses. “By working together, we can overcome the challenges posed by wildlife crime and effectively address it,” she reflected.

The Summit benefits from the digital convenience of a dedicated app, now live, which allows attendees to pre-schedule meetings and navigate the programme with ease. Delegate passes are currently offered at fifty percent discount, with early registration encouraged before the 16 November opening.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s emergence as a convening centre for global policing leadership strengthens the broader United Arab Emirates’ position as an innovative hub for international cooperation and security excellence. The Summit demonstrates how the emirates’ commitment to digital transformation and public-private partnership extends to shaping global standards in law enforcement and public safety.

For Abu Dhabi residents and visitors, the international focus on connected policing, cybersecurity and cross-border cooperation translates into enhanced security frameworks and collaborative approaches to the transnational challenges that affect all communities. The gathering signals that the Emirates remain at the forefront of adopting and advancing technologies that protect citizens whilst building trust between institutions and the public.