Countries are adopting a global blueprint to tackle fast-growing crime in the digital era

The Abu Dhabi Declaration was adopted by acclamation at the opening of the 15th United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Congressuniting governments to tackle challenges ranging from cybercrime and fraud to increasing criminal exploitation of digital technology.

That Statement highlighting an increasingly complex landscape in which services, infrastructure and technology can be exploited by criminals, including emerging trends described as “crime as a service” and “violence as a service”.

At the same time, countries are committed to making greater use of technology, including by digitizing justice systems and leveraging artificial intelligence in criminal justice responses.

The Declaration emphasizes that safeguards must accompany these changes, including human oversight, transparency, due process, and data protection.

‘Justice cannot be a privilege’

In a video message to Congress, UN Deputy Secretary-General Aminah Muhammad said the meeting took place at a time of great change.

“Justice cannot be a privilege. Congress must protect everyone, uphold everyone’s rights and leave no one behind,” said Ms. Mohamed. “This Congress is an opportunity to renew our shared commitment to justice and the rule of law, and translate that commitment into action.”

Countries are already being encouraged to implement this Declaration through the Pledge4Justice voluntary initiative, in which participating governments announce concrete, time-bound actions on crime prevention and criminal justice through 2031.

From Kyoto to Abu Dhabi

Opening of Congress, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Monica Juma frame the meetingg in response to changes in the criminal landscape and tests of international cooperation.

“Today, the whole world gathers in Abu Dhabi to reaffirm that the rule of law and criminal justice are critical to the safety and security of people and the planet,” said Ms. Juma. “At a time when faith in multilateralism is wavering, let Abu Dhabi be a testament to international cooperation.”

Five years after the previous Congress in Kyoto, Japan, Ms Juma said the world had reached another “inflection point”, with technology and artificial intelligence advancing at an extraordinary pace.

The same platforms that connect billions of people can also connect criminals, he warned, while digital currencies can hide illegal profits and digital tools can be used to cheat, manipulate and exploit.

Technology, he argues, is not only accelerating crime but also changing its character, while organized criminal networks increasingly exploit weaknesses across borders and institutions.

Protecting communities as the ‘north star’

Despite the current trends, Ms Juma urged delegates to focus on groups most vulnerable to harm, including children recruited by gangs, women experiencing violence at home or online, people unable to obtain legal aid, and young people lured into webs of deception that promise a better future.

“Protecting these people must be the measure by which we assess our efforts over the coming week,” he said. “That’s definitely our north star.”

He called for laws and institutions that keep pace with changing threats, greater access to justice and legal aid, and technology that serves as a “force for good” and not as an accelerator of harm.

And while welcoming the Abu Dhabi Declaration as a starting point, Ms Juma stressed that its impact would ultimately depend on its implementation.

A week focused on justice

Organized by the United Arab Emirates, this Congress continues October 1 with a theme Protecting People and Planet in the Digital Age.

Some 119 countries were represented, along with more than 40 justice ministers and other senior officials, with more than 5,100 participants from government, civil society, academia and the private sector.

Plenary meetings, workshops, side events and exhibitions will take place throughout the session.

Organizers also call this the most inclusive Crime Congress for the younger generation. Young people participated in workshops, contributed to follow-up efforts and took part in a Youth Lab and special art exhibition, following the Youth Forum held ahead of the Congress on September 24 and 25.

UNODC serves as the secretariat of the Congress and will support the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration.

Listen to an interview with UNODC Executive Director, Monica Juma: