Today's Edition
· 35 ancillary meetings examine crime prevention, digital justice, counter-terrorism, organised crime and the protection of people and the planet.
· The UAE showcases efforts to promote a balanced approach to wildlife protection that combines law enforcement and conservation.
Abu Dhabi - UAE: September 29, 2026 – The fourth day of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Abu Dhabi 2026 featured high-level discussions focused on advancing people-centred criminal justice systems, addressing new, emerging and evolving forms of crime and harnessing the opportunities of the digital age to strengthen crime prevention, justice and law enforcement within frameworks that protect rights and uphold the rule of law.
The day's programme included the continuation of discussions under agenda item 3, “Advancing innovative and evidence-based crime prevention strategies towards social, economic and environmental development.”
It also marked the start of discussions under agenda item 4 on promoting inclusive, responsive and people-centred criminal justice systems in a rapidly changing world, as well as agenda item 5 on addressing and countering crime, including organised crime and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations.
Meetings of the President of the Congress
As part of ongoing efforts to deepen international legal and judicial dialogue and strengthen partnerships, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice of the UAE and President of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Abu Dhabi 2026, held four bilateral meetings with representatives of Montenegro, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Uganda and the Czech Republic.
Held within the framework of the Congress's programme of international engagements, the meetings provided an opportunity to strengthen direct communication among Member States, exchange expertise and explore new avenues for legal and judicial cooperation.
The meetings reflected the role of the Congress as a global platform that enables Member States to translate dialogue into institutional partnerships, strengthen the exchange of information and expertise, expand cooperation in combating organised and transnational crime and enhance the effectiveness of criminal justice systems.
His Excellency also launched the “Guiding Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Law Firms” initiative in the presence of Her Excellency Maryam Bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of The UAE Cabinet.
The initiative is aligned with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Declaration and its emphasis on the responsible use of artificial intelligence. It reflects the UAE’s belief that the integration of advanced technologies into the justice sector must be guided by clear professional and ethical responsibilities, ensuring that innovation contributes to strengthening justice, enhancing the quality and efficiency of legal services and protecting the rights and interests of clients and stakeholders.
People-Centred Justice
Discussions under agenda item 4 focused on building criminal justice systems that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of individuals and communities, while protecting rights and ensuring equal access to justice amid accelerating social and technological change.
Ancillary meetings examined the application of investigative interviewing techniques that help translate principles into practice and support the timely delivery of justice.
Discussions also addressed the role of judges in crime prevention and the promotion of the rule of law, the integrity and independence of criminal justice institutions and the role of public defenders in jury trials involving accused indigenous people.
Other sessions explored alternatives to the death penalty that uphold human dignity, the mental health and professional well-being of law enforcement personnel and the implementation of United Nations standards for professional policing.
Participants also discussed ways to accelerate international cooperation in implementing the Bangkok Rules on the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women offenders.
Responsible Technology and the Future of Law Enforcement
Workshop 4 titled “Turning the Digital Age into an Opportunity: Promoting the Responsible Use of Technologies in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice”, examined how digital solutions can enhance institutional efficiency, improve access to justice and strengthen investigations and law enforcement efforts, while ensuring transparency, accountability, privacy, the protection of fundamental rights and continued human oversight.
The fourth day also featured a fireside chat entitled “AI, Data and Digital Technologies: Shaping the Future of Crime Prevention and Law Enforcement.”
Discussions examined the role of artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics and digital technologies in enhancing crime prevention capabilities, anticipating risks, supporting operational decision-making and strengthening real-time law enforcement responses.
The session also explored ways governments and technology providers can work together to build trust in AI-enabled justice systems, ensuring that technological innovation delivers practical value within clear frameworks for governance, accountability and responsibility.
Other meetings examined how information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence systems and social engineering techniques may be exploited to facilitate criminal activities.
Discussions also addressed the use of AI in public prosecution services to strengthen criminal justice and the rule of law, as well as maintaining the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent crime and pursue offenders in the digital environment.
Countering Evolving Crime and Terrorism
Discussions under agenda item 5 focused on the evolving structures of organised crime, the expanding use of technology and transnational networks and the need for faster and more integrated international responses to emerging forms of crime, terrorism and terrorist financing.
Meetings addressed efforts to combat transnational criminal organisations, counter the financing of terrorism and strengthen cooperation among prosecution authorities in ASEAN Member States to tackle scam centres. Participants also examined indicators for the effective implementation of the Firearms Protocol.
Furthermore, a special session titled “Exploiting Artificial Intelligence by Terrorist Groups to Enhance the Technological Capabilities” examined how terrorist organisations seek to exploit artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to strengthen operational capabilities and highlighted the need to strengthen preparedness, develop effective legal and operational responses and enhance cooperation among law enforcement authorities to address the risks associated with the misuse of emerging technologies.
Other sessions explored whole-of-society approaches to preventing the recruitment of young people into organised crime, strengthening youth resilience through sport and evidence-based prevention policies and empowering young people as digital innovators in crime prevention and criminal justice reform through artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Protecting People and the Planet
Crimes that affect the environment featured prominently throughout the fourth day's programme. Discussions examined environmental threats arising from activities in outer space, the role of the shipping sector in combating environmental crime, vulnerabilities that enable economic crime in the gold sector and efforts to prevent money laundering in art and antiquities markets.
The UAE organised a meeting entitled “Towards a Balanced Strategy for Wildlife Protection: From Enforcement to Conservation”, which highlighted the importance of combining legal and regulatory measures with ecosystem protection efforts.
The meeting examined integrated responses to wildlife-related crime that address enforcement challenges while advancing broader conservation and biodiversity objectives.
Other discussions focused on ensuring access to justice, investigation and prosecution and support for victims of crimes that affect the environment, reinforcing the connection between protecting people and the planet, upholding the rule of law and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
35 Ancillary Meetings
The fourth day also featured 35 ancillary meetings, which addressed community policing in Asia, innovative local approaches to building safer communities, community-led digital governance capable of resisting corruption, violence prevention, reducing homicide and conflict-related deaths and the role of civil society in combating human trafficking and strengthening community resilience against organised crime.
The United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network (PNI) Lab hosted a session entitled “From Promising Practices to Implementation: PNI Contributions to Advancing the Kyoto Model Strategies.”
The discussion examined the contribution of Programme Network Institutes to advancing the Kyoto Model Strategies for reducing reoffending, including opportunities for future cooperation in research, training and technical assistance.
The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice will continue at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi until October 1 2026, bringing together broad international participation to advance a shared and more forward-looking vision for the future of crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law.
