Abu Dhabi Declaration sets new direction for crime prevention in the digital age
Provpnmatrix.com – Governments meeting in Abu Dhabi have endorsed a new international framework aimed at confronting crime that is changing rapidly alongside digital technology. The Abu Dhabi Declaration was adopted by acclamation as the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice began on Saturday.
The gathering brings together countries facing an expanding range of threats, from cybercrime and fraud to the misuse of technology by organized criminal groups. Delegates are considering how justice systems can respond as digital tools reshape both criminal activity and the methods available to prevent and investigate it.
Hosted by the United Arab Emirates, the Congress continues until 1 October under the theme Protecting People and Planet in the Digital Age. It includes representatives from 119 countries, more than 40 justice ministers and other senior officials, and over 5,100 participants drawn from governments, civil society, academia and the private sector.
A changing criminal landscape
The Declaration identifies a more complicated environment in which criminals can exploit technology, public and private infrastructure, and everyday services. It draws attention to emerging models described as “crime as a service” and “violence as a service”, reflecting the growing ability of networks to offer harmful activities, tools or expertise across borders.
Digital platforms that make communication and commerce easier for billions of people can also help criminals coordinate, reach victims and hide illicit activity. Digital currencies may be used to obscure illegal profits, while online tools can enable deception, manipulation and exploitation at a much wider scale.
Monica Juma, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said the Congress had arrived at a decisive moment for international cooperation. Five years after the previous Crime Congress in Kyoto, Japan, she said technology and artificial intelligence were advancing with exceptional speed.
“Today, the world convenes in Abu Dhabi to reaffirm that the rule of law and criminal justice are essential to the safety and security of people and the planet,” said Ms. Juma. “At a time when confidence in multilateralism is faltering, let Abu Dhabi be a testament to international cooperation.”
She warned that technology is doing more than increasing the pace of criminal conduct. It is also altering its nature, as organized groups take advantage of gaps between countries, systems and institutions. For policymakers, that means criminal justice responses must be able to adapt without abandoning legal protections.
Using technology while protecting rights
Countries adopting the Declaration committed themselves to making greater use of technology in their own justice systems. This includes digitizing justice services and applying artificial intelligence to criminal justice responses where appropriate.
But the document also emphasizes that these developments require clear safeguards. Human oversight, transparency, due process and protection of personal data are presented as essential elements of any technology-enabled justice response. The message is that innovation should strengthen fairness and access to justice rather than weaken them.
In a video address, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the Congress was taking place during a period of major global change and called on participants to renew their commitment to the rule of law.
“Justice cannot be a privilege. It must protect every person, uphold every person’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 to translate that commitment into action.”
The focus on rights is particularly relevant as governments explore new digital systems. Faster case management, better access to information and modern investigative tools can offer practical benefits, but their use also raises questions about accountability, privacy and equal treatment. The Declaration places those concerns alongside the call for stronger action against crime.
Measuring progress by protection of people
Ms. Juma urged delegates not to lose sight of the individuals most vulnerable to harm. She highlighted children recruited by gangs, women subjected to violence in their homes or online, people who cannot obtain legal support, and young people drawn into scam operations by promises of a better future.
“Protecting these people must be the measure against which we judge our efforts over the coming week,” she said. “It must be our north star.”
Her call linked crime prevention to access to justice, legal aid and institutions able to keep up with evolving threats. She also argued that technology should become “a force for good” rather than a means of amplifying harm.
The Declaration is intended to serve as a shared blueprint, but its practical value will depend on what governments do after the Congress. Participating countries are already being encouraged to make voluntary commitments through the Pledge4Justice initiative. Under that programme, governments can announce specific, time-bound steps on crime prevention and criminal justice through 2031.
Such commitments can help turn broad principles into measurable action, whether through improving legal assistance, strengthening cross-border cooperation, developing secure digital justice systems or protecting people targeted by technology-enabled crime.
Participation beyond government
The Abu Dhabi programme includes plenary sessions, workshops, side events and exhibitions. It also places unusual emphasis on youth participation. Organizers describe it as the most youth-inclusive Crime Congress to date, with young people contributing in workshops, follow-up activities, a dedicated Youth Lab and an art exhibition.
These activities follow a Youth Forum held on 24 and 25 September. Their inclusion reflects the importance of hearing from younger people, who are often among those most affected by online risks but are also central to building safer digital communities.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime serves as secretariat for the Congress and will support the implementation of its outcomes. As discussions continue in Abu Dhabi, the central challenge will be translating a common declaration into laws, institutions and international partnerships capable of protecting people in a fast-changing digital world.
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