The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded on March 31, 2026, at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant six-day international dialogue that drew approximately 9,000 participants from over 121 countries, alongside representatives from more than 205 international and non-governmental organisations. This gathering underscored the United Arab Emirates’ role as a strategic platform for shaping the future of crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law on a global scale.
International Collaboration and Strategic Goals
More than 40 ministers and high-ranking officials participated, alongside over 137 experts and upwards of 97 speakers who engaged in various general sessions, workshops, and specialised meetings. The agenda focused on developing innovative, evidence-based strategies for crime prevention, establishing inclusive and resilient justice systems, addressing emerging forms of crime, and expanding cooperation and partnerships at the national, regional, and international levels.
The Abu Dhabi Declaration
The conference’s centrepiece was the “Abu Dhabi Declaration,” adopted unanimously during the opening session as the primary political and strategic outcome of the event. This comprehensive framework, consisting of 18 articles and 67 paragraphs, will guide international cooperation in the realms of justice and the rule of law over the next five years, serving as a reference point for accelerating efforts in crime prevention and criminal justice.
Structured around four interconnected priorities, the declaration emphasises the importance of enhancing prevention and community resilience against emerging risks; countering evolving threats posed by increasingly complex crime patterns; supporting fair, effective, and inclusive justice systems; and leveraging innovation to transform international cooperation into actionable partnerships.
Key Transformations in Crime and Justice
Moreover, the declaration addresses four major transformations impacting the future of crime and justice: digital transformation, advanced forms of crime, socio-economic changes, and environmental challenges. Within this context, the UAE placed particular emphasis on the issues of women, children, youth, the environment, and artificial intelligence.
Pledge4Justice Initiative
Coinciding with the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, the UAE launched the “Pledge for Justice” (Pledge4Justice) initiative, marking the first instance of commitments at the United Nations Conference on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. This initiative aims to move international commitments from mere political consensus to measurable, actionable steps.
As the conference drew to a close, 61 commitments were presented under this initiative, comprising 58 pledges from member states and three from international governmental organisations. Notably, the UAE was the first to submit a commitment under this initiative, each pledge representing a specific obligation with a defined timeline, aimed at supporting the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration through to 2031. A committee will oversee the commitments and monitor progress, with updates to be published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Reflecting on Outcomes
In his closing remarks, Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Chair of the Congress, highlighted the strong international consensus achieved on the Abu Dhabi Declaration, reflecting a shared commitment to transitioning from agreement on principles to actionable collaboration. He expressed optimism that the momentum generated from Abu Dhabi would mark the beginning of a collaborative international effort, assuring that participating nations would strive to translate their commitments into tangible results that enhance community safety and justice.
Extensive Engagement and Future Directions
The conference featured over 170 side events and meetings, 27 presentation platforms, and the launch of more than five initiatives, allowing countries, organisations, and institutions to showcase their experiences and solutions in human-centered justice, crime prevention, combating organised crime, cybercrime, financial crime, and environmental crime, as well as victim protection, rehabilitation, community reintegration, and responsible use of technology and data.
The final day included ongoing discussions on agenda item six regarding enhancing cooperation and partnerships, covering technical and material assistance and training, adopting reports from various committees, and finalising the overall report of the congress.
Discussions also delved into the sequence of digital transformation throughout the criminal justice system, addressing equitable access to justice, innovative crime prevention approaches, and enhancing trust in law enforcement while prioritising justice and environmental protection in the digital age.