The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, concluded today after six days of international dialogue and collaboration. The conference attracted over 9,000 participants from more than 121 countries, along with 205 international and non-governmental organizations.
A Gathering of Global Leaders and Experts
This conference saw the attendance of over 40 ministers and ministerial-level officials, more than 137 experts, and over 97 speakers across general sessions, workshops, and specialised meetings. Discussions focused on developing innovative, evidence-based strategies for crime prevention, constructing inclusive and resilient justice systems centred on human rights, addressing emerging and evolving forms of crime, and expanding cooperation and partnerships at national, regional, and international levels.
The Significance of the Abu Dhabi Declaration
The UAE successfully hosted this extraordinary session of the conference, reflecting its capacity to convene governments, international organisations, justice agencies, law enforcement, experts, the private sector, civil society, and youth around a shared vision for protecting people and the planet in the digital age.
The “Abu Dhabi Declaration,” adopted by the international community during the opening session, serves as the main political and strategic outcome of the conference, establishing a framework for international cooperation in justice and the rule of law over the next five years. It comprises 18 articles and 67 paragraphs, providing a single framework for collaborative action and offering an international reference to expedite efforts in crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law.
Four Interconnected Priorities
The declaration is founded on four interrelated priorities: enhancing prevention and communities’ resilience to emerging risks; addressing evolving and interconnected criminal threats amidst increasingly complex crime patterns; supporting fair, effective, and inclusive justice systems; and leveraging innovation to expand international cooperation into actionable partnerships.
Additionally, the declaration addresses four major transformations influencing the future of crime and justice: digital transformation, advanced forms of criminal activity, socio-economic changes, and environmental challenges. Highlighted priorities for the UAE within the “Abu Dhabi Declaration” include women, children, youth, the environment, and artificial intelligence.
Launching the Pledge for Justice
Coinciding with the adoption of the “Abu Dhabi Declaration,” the UAE launched the “Pledge for Justice” initiative, marking the first commitment initiative in the history of the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. This initiative aims to transition international commitments from political accord to measurable and actionable practices.
The conference concluded with the presentation of 61 commitments under this initiative, consisting of 58 pledges from member states and 3 from international governmental organisations. The UAE was the first to submit a commitment, establishing specific and timed obligations to support the implementation of the “Abu Dhabi Declaration” through to 2031. The Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Commission will oversee the tracking of these commitments and the progress made towards them, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime set to publish all pledges.
Shared Responsibility for Future Actions
His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and President of the Conference, stated, “We conclude the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice today, but we do not end its message; the conclusion of the conference is simultaneously the beginning of our joint responsibility to translate the Abu Dhabi Declaration from principles we have agreed upon into actionable work, turning our declared commitments into tangible results that bolster justice, reinforce the rule of law, and contribute to safeguarding our communities.” He emphasised that the criminal challenges, marked by their evolution and transnational nature, cannot be confronted by isolated efforts but rather through genuine international cooperation where will and expertise converge.
Gratitude for Support and Participation
He expressed his sincere gratitude to the wise leadership for their unwavering support during the conference and their keen interest in justice and the rule of law, as well as in international collaboration efforts to combat crime and enhance community security and stability.
Moreover, he thanked all conference participants for their active contributions that enriched the discussions and facilitated the exchange of insights and experiences regarding the challenges facing crime prevention and criminal justice systems. He particularly acknowledged Ms Monica Juma, Secretary-General of the conference and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for her efforts and contributions, along with the office’s team for their fruitful cooperation.
A Collaborative National Effort
His Excellency praised the national efforts that have been instrumental in the success of this conference, reflecting a spirit of collaboration and integration among various state institutions; the successful organisation and positive reception were a testament to this cooperative endeavour.
“The international consensus reached on the ‘Abu Dhabi Declaration’ during the first day of the conference was one of the prominent outcomes of this session; it reflects a shared will to move from agreeing on principles to taking action while enhancing international cooperation in combating crime and supporting justice and the rule of law. From Abu Dhabi, we hope this declaration serves as the starting point for international cooperative efforts, and we are confident that all participating nations will leave no stone unturned in transforming their commitments into tangible results that enhance community security and justice. The conference concludes today, but the work begins now. We anticipate that the Abu Dhabi Declaration will stand as a testament to the international will gathered for a more secure and just world, better prepared to face the challenges of the future,” he concluded.
Comprehensive Engagement and Discussions
Throughout the conference, the president conducted over 20 bilateral meetings with ministers, officials, and heads of delegations, fostering deeper legal and judicial partnerships, the exchange of expertise, and cooperation in mutual legal assistance, capacity building, and tackling transnational organised crime.
The conference also featured more than 170 side events and meetings, over 27 display platforms, and the launch of more than 5 initiatives, allowing states, organisations, and institutions to showcase their experiences and solutions in human-centred justice, crime prevention, combating organised, cyber, financial, and environmental crimes, victim protection, rehabilitation, community reintegration, and responsible use of technology and data.
Final Discussions and Reports
The final day continued discussions on agenda item six regarding enhancing cooperation and partnerships, covering technical and material assistance and training, the adoption of the documentation committee’s report, and considerations of the reports of both the first and second committees before officially concluding the conference with the adoption of the final report.
Additionally, 13 side meetings addressed space-related crimes, trafficking of commercial goods, preventing corruption in prisons, the illicit economy, alternatives to pre-trial detention, youth perspectives on cybersecurity and safe digital spaces, enhancing support for victims, and expanding educational opportunities for individuals in correctional facilities to reduce recidivism.
The meetings also examined the sequential digital transformation throughout the criminal justice system to prevent inequality in access to justice, innovative crime prevention, and building trust in law enforcement, while bolstering justice and protecting the planet in the digital era.
The conference reaffirmed that addressing evolving crime requires cooperation that transcends borders, justice that adapts to transformations without abandoning its guarantees, and technology governed by rule of law and accountability. The “Abu Dhabi Declaration” and the “Pledge for Justice” initiative lay the groundwork for a new era of international collaboration, where outcomes are measured by their capacity to protect individuals, enhance community security, and turn commitments into sustainable impact by 2031.
ADNEC in Abu Dhabi hosted the conference and its accompanying exhibition across an area of over 30,300 square metres, marking a 31% increase compared to the previous session held in 2021.