Abu Dhabi:The European Union has reiterated its dedication to enhancing international cooperation in tackling crime and terrorism. This announcement follows the EU's active involvement in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Abu Dhabi from September 26 to October 1, 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Congress served as a critical platform for evaluating shared challenges, exchanging practical experiences, and bolstering political commitment to international cooperation in the face of increasingly transnational, digital, and complex crime.
A significant outcome of the event was the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which outlines the roadmap for international action on crime prevention and criminal justice for the next five years. The EU played a substantial role in the negotiations that led to this declaration, actively participating in discussions on crime prevention, criminal justice, and international cooperation.
The EU demonstrated its commitment through the Pledge4Justice initiative, which aims to launch significant new efforts to combat organized crime and terrorism while enhancing capacity in criminal justice and anti-trafficking. Ambassador Carl Hallergård, in his statement during the General Debate, emphasized the EU's dedication to multilateral cooperation in addressing global crime threats, ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Throughout the Congress, the EU Delegation in Vienna engaged in workshops, side events, and bilateral exchanges with international partners. Notably, Olivier Onidi, Deputy Director-General in DG Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, and Tommaso Chiamparini, European Commission Coordinator for victims' rights, enriched discussions with their contributions.
The Congress covered a wide range of topics, including organized crime, migrant smuggling, environmental crime, the crime-terrorism nexus, the use of emerging technologies, and ensuring equal access to justice. It also addressed women's participation, child-friendly justice, humane alternatives to detention, and alternatives to the death penalty that preserve human dignity.
EU-funded programs such as JUST4ALL, PLEAD II, and EU-ACT were featured, along with upcoming initiatives like Themis and Intercept, all part of the EU's Pledge4Justice commitment. Discussions underscored the need for stronger practical cooperation, effective justice institutions, and responses anchored in human rights, gender equality, and the rule of law. The importance of sustained multilateral engagement and cooperation with international partners to transform political commitments into tangible actions was also highlighted.
In conjunction with the Congress, Eurojust President Michael Schmid and UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi signed a Working Agreement to enhance cooperation in combating serious cross-border crime. The European External Action Service noted that the Congress provided a valuable opportunity to further dialogue on current and emerging crime challenges, reaffirming the EU's strong commitment to multilateralism and effective, rights-based responses to organized crime, terrorism, and other evolving threats.