'Abu Dhabi Declaration' adopted as UN crime congress opens

The "Abu Dhabi Declaration" was adopted on Saturday as the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice opened at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

It will guide international priorities and cooperation on crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law over the next five years.

The declaration is structured around four main areas: prevention and resilience, justice and the rule of law, evolving and converging criminal threats, and innovation and cooperation.

It covers issues including organised crime and cybercrime, the responsible use of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in criminal justice, corruption, illicit financial flows, international legal cooperation and the protection of victims and vulnerable groups.

The opening took place in the presence of His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, with representatives from more than 97 countries attending, including over 32 justice and interior ministers.

The opening also saw the launch of "Pledge4Justice", an initiative designed to turn commitments under the declaration into practical programmes.

The UAE announced the first pledge under the initiative, committing up to $5 million through annual contributions of up to $1 million over five years.

The funding will support efforts to strengthen justice systems and help countries and institutions implement priorities set out in the "Abu Dhabi Declaration".

UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi said the Congress comes at a time when artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are creating opportunities to improve justice systems, while also increasing the potential for more sophisticated and far-reaching forms of crime.

The Congress runs until October 1, with discussions covering cybercrime, online fraud, human and drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism financing, environmental crime, electronic evidence and virtual assets.