Abu Dhabi, May 25, 2025 – The Europe Today: A high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by Judge Abdul Rahman Al Balooshi, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation and Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, took part in the 34th session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), held in Vienna, Austria, from May 19 to 23, 2025.
The delegation included representatives from the Ministries of Justice and Interior, as well as the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienna. The broad representation underscores the UAE’s commitment to institutional integration and its collaborative approach to tackling global criminal justice challenges.
The UAE’s participation forms part of its ongoing preparations to host the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in April 2026. The event is expected to gather global stakeholders to shape a forward-looking agenda for crime prevention and justice reform.
During the 34th session, participating countries engaged in extensive discussions on emerging and persistent challenges in the global criminal justice landscape. Key topics included combating all forms of crime through enhanced international cooperation, upholding gender equality and human rights, advancing capacity building, facilitating technology transfer, and updating national legislation in line with evolving threats.
Delegations, including the UAE, placed particular emphasis on the urgent need to address human trafficking by supporting victims with rehabilitation and community reintegration programmes. The collective fight against terrorism also featured prominently, with calls to enhance coordination and strengthen legislative frameworks.
Throughout the session, the UAE presented several official statements reiterating its unwavering commitment to international cooperation in building a more equitable and sustainable future. The UAE also highlighted the importance of the Abu Dhabi 2026 Congress as a platform to formulate a comprehensive global vision for crime prevention and criminal justice reform.
As part of the session’s activities, the UAE delegation organised and chaired a well-attended side event titled “The Road to Abu Dhabi,” which spotlighted the congress’s preparatory process and engaged international stakeholders in dialogue about shared priorities.
H.E. Hamad Al Kaabi, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna, participated as a panelist in another significant side event titled “Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism,” co-hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). During the event, he presented the UAE’s national initiatives to combat organised crime and illicit financial flows.
On the sidelines of the main proceedings, the UAE delegation took part in various side events and held multiple bilateral meetings with representatives of other member states. These engagements focused on enhancing cooperation, exchanging expertise, and aligning strategic positions on crime prevention and criminal justice issues.
The delegation confirmed that preparations for the Abu Dhabi 2026 Congress are progressing steadily and are on track to deliver a landmark outcome. Central to the congress will be the Abu Dhabi Declaration, a global consensus document aimed at strengthening collective international efforts to combat crime and establish more efficient, equitable, and sustainable criminal justice systems for the future.
