The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice commenced on September 26 in Abu Dhabi, bringing together thousands of participants from 97 countries, including ministers, officials, and experts in law enforcement and criminal justice. The conference, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, runs through October 1 and focuses on global challenges such as cybercrime, human trafficking, drug-related offenses, money laundering, environmental crimes, and the use of artificial intelligence in justice systems.
Kuwait’s delegation, led by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, underscores the country's commitment to multilateral cooperation in addressing evolving crime threats. Alongside Sheikh Fahad, the delegation includes Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice Awatif Al-Sanad and specialists from legal, judicial, and security sectors. During the event, Sheikh Fahad held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Syria and Malaysia, highlighting Kuwait’s active engagement in international crime prevention efforts.
In her address to the Congress, Undersecretary Al-Sanad emphasized that combating crime is a shared global responsibility requiring adherence to international agreements and consistent national legislation. She noted the conference takes place amid heightened regional tensions, referencing recent attacks attributed to Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and other Arab countries, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian areas—a violation of international norms.
Al-Sanad outlined Kuwait’s national policies aligned with its Vision 2035, which aim to strengthen crime-fighting frameworks through legislation on narcotics, domestic violence, beneficial ownership, and commercial concealment. She highlighted Kuwait’s focus on cybercrime, referencing its Information Technology Crimes Law, while supporting broader international efforts to regulate digital commerce, protect consumer rights, and prevent illicit electronic activities. Measures addressing counterterrorism, money laundering, and terrorist financing have also been enhanced, with mechanisms designed to improve both local and international cooperation.
The Congress is expected to adopt the Abu Dhabi Declaration, articulating international priorities for crime prevention and criminal justice over the next five years. Participants are set to discuss strategies for improving transparency and justice in the use of modern technologies, including responsible deployment of artificial intelligence.
Al-Sanad expressed gratitude to the UAE and its President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for hosting and organizing the event, while recognizing Japan’s role in supporting the Kyoto Declaration’s principles over the past five years. She also welcomed Uzbekistan's announcement to host the next Congress in 2031.
The UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, convened every five years since 1955, serves as a key platform for international dialogue on crime prevention policies and the rule of law, particularly as new crime types and methods continue to emerge in the rapidly evolving digital era.