The future of criminal justice will be shaped in Abu Dhabi

As the UN General Assembly concludes in New York, a significant event is set to take place in Abu Dhabi. From Saturday, the UAE will host the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at Adnec. This six-day conference will gather high-level delegates and experts from around the globe, including member states, international and regional organizations, judges, law enforcement professionals, policymakers, researchers, private-sector representatives, civil society groups, academics, and young individuals.

The event underscores the increasing complexity of global criminal justice challenges and the necessity for collective action to prevent and combat crime.

The UAE has established itself as a global platform for fostering international partnerships, enhancing cooperation, and developing coordinated responses to issues affecting human security and social stability. By hosting the congress, the UAE aims to bolster international collaboration in criminal justice, in line with its strategic vision for the future of justice.

As criminal methods become more sophisticated and transnational, the need for stronger international responses has never been more pressing. This includes faster and more effective judicial collaboration, enhanced information sharing, evidence exchange, best practice dissemination, and sustained investment in specialized training and institutional capacity-building.

The UAE has consistently demonstrated its commitment to these priorities both nationally and internationally. Nationally, the country has implemented a distinctive justice model that prioritizes people's security and dignity, viewing the rule of law and effective judicial institutions as vital foundations for social stability, economic prosperity, and sustainable development.

This commitment is evident in the UAE's strong performance on international rule of law indicators. Last year, the UAE topped the Middle East and North Africa region in the Rule of Law Index and ranked 37th globally among 143 countries. It also placed 11th worldwide in Order and Security, 22nd in Criminal Justice, and 25th in Regulatory Enforcement.

The UAE's advancements in judicial innovation and modernization further strengthen its position in this field. The country's justice system is moving towards a more restorative and rehabilitative model, focusing on concepts beyond traditional deterrence. The UAE's Smart Litigation Framework exemplifies this transformation, enabling legal proceedings to be initiated remotely, managed through integrated digital platforms, and archived digitally for efficient access.

This reflects a broader national commitment to leveraging technology for justice, reinforcing the UAE's hosting of the congress as an extension of its vision for an accessible, efficient, and responsive justice system.

The congress also highlights the UAE's standing as a trusted strategic partner in promoting the rule of law and advancing justice. With more than 150 bilateral and multilateral agreements with over 50 countries and international organizations, the UAE provides a practical framework for legal collaboration and combating transnational crime.

The draft Abu Dhabi Declaration, expected to emerge from the congress, builds upon the 2021 Kyoto Declaration, updating international priorities in response to digital transformation, evolving crime forms, and environmental challenges. It emphasizes measurable and time-bound commitments from member states to strengthen justice, support evidence-based crime prevention, and protect vulnerable populations.

The declaration also calls for the responsible use of technology, data, and artificial intelligence, ensuring human rights protection, accountability, and strengthened international partnerships. Ultimately, the draft aims to translate international consensus into ambitious criminal justice policies and practical programmes that deliver tangible outcomes.