ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation against organized crime and terrorism after a major United Nations crime congress in Abu Dhabi. The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice ran from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Delegates adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which will guide global crime prevention and criminal justice work for five years. The EU said the declaration provides a basis for coordinated action against increasingly transnational, digital and complex crime.
European Union officials used the congress to address organized crime, migrant smuggling, environmental crime and the links between crime and terrorism. Discussions also covered emerging technologies, equal access to justice, child-friendly justice and alternatives to detention. The EU stressed that criminal justice cooperation should respect human rights, international law and the rule of law. It also highlighted victim protection, fair-trial guarantees, legal aid and stronger cooperation across national borders. The agenda included women’s participation and humane treatment in criminal justice systems.
Ambassador Carl Hallergård presented the EU’s priorities during the congress’s high-level segment. European Commission officials Olivier Onidi and Tommaso Chiamparini also took part in thematic events and discussions. Under its Pledge4Justice commitment, the European Union pledged new initiatives called Themis and Intercept. The projects will support criminal justice and anti-trafficking capacity while contributing to implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration. The EU said both projects form part of its contribution to the declaration.
Judicial cooperation expands in Abu Dhabi
The congress also produced a new cooperation framework between the United Arab Emirates and Eurojust. UAE Justice Minister Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi and Eurojust President Michael Schmid signed the Working Arrangement on Sept. 28. The agreement supports closer strategic cooperation and information exchange with competent UAE authorities. Eurojust said it became the agency’s 14th such arrangement with a country outside the European Union. The framework focuses on serious cross-border crime and structured cooperation between judicial authorities.
Eurojust said the arrangement can support strategic cooperation, information exchange and access to operational cooperation tools in relevant cross-border cases. It does not itself create a legal basis for exchanging operational personal data. The EU also focused on technology during the congress, including artificial intelligence, digital evidence and encrypted communications. Officials said justice systems need clear legal safeguards, accountability and meaningful human oversight when using digital tools. EU officials also discussed secure cross-border information exchange and the handling of electronic evidence.
Abu Dhabi Declaration sets next phase
In its closing statement, the European Union called for stronger institutions, better victim protection and more effective international cooperation. It urged justice systems to remain independent, accessible, impartial and accountable. The EU also supported stronger data collection and analysis to understand criminal markets and assess prevention measures. Its statement linked effective crime prevention with education, social inclusion, family support and opportunities for young people. The closing statement called for public authorities, researchers and civil society to work more closely.
The Abu Dhabi Declaration sets the direction for follow-up work from the 2026 crime congress. The EU said its partnerships, technical assistance and Pledge4Justice commitments will support that process. The congress brought governments, justice practitioners, civil society representatives, researchers and young people into discussions on crime prevention and criminal justice. The European Union said continued cooperation should strengthen institutions, improve cross-border responses and protect people from organized crime and terrorism.