UN Deputy Secretary-General Calls Abu Dhabi 2026 Congress Pivotal Moment for Global Justice
Amina Mohammed addresses opening session of 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, emphasising the critical role of justice systems and technology in achieving sustainable development.
The 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 26 September to 1 October, represents a defining opportunity to strengthen global commitment to justice and the rule of law, according to UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.
In her address to the opening session, Ms Mohammed highlighted the essential connection between justice and sustainable development, noting that effective legal frameworks remain fundamental to building peaceful, inclusive societies. She underscored that Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals—dedicated to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies—recognises that lasting development cannot be achieved without robust access to justice and accountable institutions at all levels.
The UN official drew attention to the rapidly evolving global landscape, where advancing technology, expanding digital spaces, widening inequality and climate challenges are fundamentally reshaping societies. Criminal networks, she observed, are equally swift in adapting their methods, exploiting technological advances and institutional gaps to perpetrate fraud, trafficking and organised crime across borders.
Ms Mohammed emphasised the imperative for transparent, responsive institutions that serve all populations equitably. Justice systems, she stressed, must extend protection and redress to those most vulnerable, particularly women and girls facing violence and exploitation. With only four years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, she called for institutional frameworks that ensure justice reaches every person, upholding universal rights and leaving no one behind.
Recognising technology’s dual nature, Ms Mohammed acknowledged its potential to accelerate development and strengthen justice administration, whilst cautioning against its misuse in facilitating criminal activity. She advocated for human rights-based digital governance and strengthened international cooperation to address emerging threats.
The Deputy Secretary-General underscored that technology shaping humanity’s future must be developed with input from all nations and generations. Young people, she emphasised, must assume roles not merely as technology users but as leaders and architects of innovation. She welcomed the Congress’s commitment to being the most youth-inclusive to date, recognising that inclusive decision-making represents essential progress toward equitable global solutions.
Source: WAM