Published on: 2026-09-26
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 26, 2026 Peace and Security
On Saturday, countries around the world adopted a new global plan to combat modern forms of crime. The Abu Dhabi Declaration was approved by acclamation at the opening of the fifteenth UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – the largest forum of the Organization in this field, which began its work in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The declaration unites governments around a wide range of issues, including the increasingly active use of digital technologies for criminal purposes. The document notes that the situation is becoming more complex: offenders can exploit services, infrastructure, and technologies for their own benefit. Among the new trends mentioned are the so-called “crime as a service” and “violence as a service.”
At the same time, the countries committed to actively using technologies themselves, including digitalizing justice systems and implementing artificial intelligence in the work of criminal justice bodies. The Declaration emphasizes that such changes must be accompanied by safeguards, including human oversight, transparency, compliance with due legal procedures, and data protection.
States are already being invited to implement the provisions of the Declaration within the framework of the voluntary initiative Pledge4Justice. Its participants announce specific measures in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice that they commit to implement within set deadlines up to 2031.
“Justice cannot be a privilege”
In a video address to the Congress participants, the first Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Amina Mohammed, noted that the forum is taking place during times of profound change.
“Justice cannot be a privilege. It must protect every person, uphold everyone’s rights, and leave no one behind,” she emphasized. “This Congress is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to justice and the rule of law and to put it into concrete actions.”
From Kyoto to Abu Dhabi
Opening the Congress, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Monica Juma, described it as both a response to changes in the criminal environment and a test of the strength of international cooperation.
“Today, the world has gathered in Abu Dhabi to confirm that the rule of law and criminal justice are key to the safety of people and the planet,” she declared. “At a time when faith in multilateralism has faltered, let Abu Dhabi be a vivid example of international cooperation.”
According to Juma, five years after the previous Congress in Kyoto, Japan, the world is once again experiencing a turning point: technologies, including artificial intelligence, are developing at an unprecedented pace.
She warned that the same platforms that connect billions of people also unite criminals, digital currencies help hide illegal income, and electronic tools are used for fraud, manipulation, and exploitation. According to her, technologies not only accelerate the growth of crime but also change its very nature, with organized crime networks increasingly exploiting weaknesses in institutional operations while acting on an international level.
Juma urged delegates to focus on those most affected by these trends: children recruited by gangs, women subjected to violence, people denied access to legal aid, and youth lured into fraudulent schemes with promises of a better life.
“Protecting these people should be the measure of our efforts in the coming week,” she said. “It must be our guiding star.”
The UNDP Head called for the creation of laws and institutions capable of keeping pace with changing threats, expanding access to justice and legal aid, and ensuring that technology brings benefits rather than multiplying harm. While welcoming the Abu Dhabi Declaration as a starting point, she also noted that its real impact will ultimately depend on implementation.
Week dedicated to justice
The Congress, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, will continue until October 1. Representatives from 119 countries are participating in the forum, including more than 40 ministers of justice, as well as other high-ranking officials. In total, more than 5,100 people have gathered in Abu Dhabi – representatives of governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The program includes plenary sessions, workshops, parallel events, and exhibitions.
The organizers call the current Congress the most open to young people in history. Young people participate in seminars and work on the forum’s results, as well as in a special Youth Laboratory and an art exhibition. On the eve, September 24–25, the Youth Forum was held.
UNDP UN performs the functions of the Congress secretariat and will assist in the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration.
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