The six-day congress at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is the largest in the event’s 70-year history and features more than 200 meetings along with 38 specialised exhibitions across a venue of over 30 300 square metres a 31 percent increase from the previous edition the Ministry of Justice reported. More than 32 justice and interior ministers are participating alongside 93 speakers and 62 high-level delegations some attending virtually. The gathering which runs through October 1 marks the first time the UAE has hosted the forum held every five years since its launch in Geneva in 1955 according to United Nations records.
Preparatory events included a two-day Youth Forum on September 24 and 25 to involve young people in shaping justice policies as well as a women’s forum and expanded private sector engagement for the first time the ministry stated. Discussions will focus on pressing issues such as drug trafficking offender rehabilitation access to justice money laundering and violence against children. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi the UAE Minister of Justice stressed the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in law enforcement and ethical frameworks during remarks to the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
A key deliverable is the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration which sets a strategic blueprint for international cooperation over the next five years while the UAE holds the presidency the Ministry of Justice said. The document is structured around four pillars encompassing prevention and resilience justice and the rule of law evolving criminal threats and innovation with cooperation. It targets organized crime cybercrime responsible AI use in justice systems victim protection asset recovery and anti-corruption measures according to officials involved in its preparation.
The congress operates under the theme of accelerating action on crime prevention criminal justice and the rule of law to protect people and the planet while advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age United Nations documentation shows. Al Nuaimi has called on member states to endorse the declaration and participate in the Pledge for Justice initiative to enhance the global criminal justice system’s efficiency. The event is expected to generate practical outcomes through knowledge exchange and new partnerships among governments civil society and experts.
This edition builds on the 14th congress held in Kyoto Japan in 2021 by emphasising actionable pathways rather than recommendations alone a government assessment found. The Ministry of Justice conducted several meetings of the Supreme Committee to finalise preparations ensuring operational readiness across all teams. Organisers have arranged more than 250 side events to facilitate dialogue on emerging threats that require stronger cross-border collaboration.
The UAE’s inclusive approach has integrated input from the private sector and youth groups to address technology-driven offences and support the rule of law the ministry noted. Participation figures underscore the event’s scale with delegations from over 97 countries contributing to discussions on financial crime environmental offences and rehabilitation programmes. The congress concludes with outcomes intended to guide multilateral efforts through 2031 according to the organisers.
