UAE Ministry of Interior calls for enhanced global partnerships to protect maritime trade
The Ministry of Interior has emphasised the critical importance of international cooperation in safeguarding maritime supply chains and combating criminal exploitation, speaking at the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Interior has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering robust international partnerships aimed at protecting the integrity of maritime supply chains and preventing their misuse by criminal networks. Speaking during a dedicated meeting held alongside the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, senior ministry officials stressed the urgency of collaborative approaches to address emerging security challenges in global shipping.
Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, emphasised that effective cooperation between law enforcement authorities, the shipping and port industries, and other relevant stakeholders is essential to tackling crimes associated with maritime trade. She noted that the UAE’s foundational commitment to partnership and trust, established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, continues to guide its approach to international collaboration.
The ministry highlighted that dismantling criminal networks at their source remains a critical strategy for reducing illicit activities and preventing contraband from reaching its intended destinations. The shipping sector, positioned strategically across global supply chains, plays a vital role in identifying and reporting suspicious activities before vessels depart. Prompt information-sharing and early reporting of concerns can significantly mitigate risks and enhance community safety.
Technological innovation also features prominently in the UAE’s strategy, with advanced tools enabling authorities to trace illicit routes and support legitimate maritime operations. The ministry underscored the importance of utilising modern technologies alongside traditional investigative methods to strengthen oversight of the sector.
Colonel Al Marzouqi drew attention to the UAE’s cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime through the I2LEC initiative, which strengthens collaboration and knowledge-sharing to combat illicit trafficking and environmental crimes. This partnership exemplifies the nation’s commitment to addressing transnational criminal activity through coordinated international effort.
Criminal organisations, the ministry noted, continue to exploit legitimate trade channels by concealing stolen timber, illegally trafficked wildlife and hazardous waste through the use of forged documentation, tampering with shipment seals, and routing consignments through multiple ports to obscure their origins. Countering these sophisticated techniques requires sustained vigilance and international coordination.
Source: WAM