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The Abu Dhabi Declaration was adopted by acclamation at the opening of the 15th United Nations (UN) Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.<\/p>\n
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The Declaration calls for stronger international cooperation as criminals increasingly exploit digital services, infrastructure and technology across borders.<\/p>\n
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Emerging threats include \u201ccrime as a service\u201d and \u201cviolence as a service\u201d, where specialised criminal services are made available to other offenders.<\/p>\n
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Countries also committed to using technology to strengthen responses, including digitalising justice systems and applying artificial intelligence in criminal investigations and court processes.<\/p>\n
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The Declaration said those measures must include human oversight, transparency, due process and protection of personal data. \u201cJustice cannot be a privilege. It must protect every person, uphold every person\u2019s rights and leave no one behind,\u201d UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis Congress is an opportunity to renew our shared commitment to justice and the rule of law, and to translate that commitment into action.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Governments are being encouraged to announce concrete, time-bound commitments through the voluntary Pledge4Justice initiative, which runs until 2031.<\/p>\n
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UN Office on Drugs and Crime Executive Director Monica Juma said technological advances were changing the nature of criminal activity. \u201cThe same platforms that connect billions of people can also connect criminals,\u201d Juma said.<\/p>\n
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Digital currencies can conceal illicit proceeds, while online tools can be used to deceive, manipulate and exploit people. \u201cToday, 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,\u201d Juma said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAt a time when confidence in multilateralism is faltering, let Abu Dhabi be a testament to international cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Juma urged delegates to prioritise people most vulnerable to crime, including children recruited by gangs, people without access to legal assistance and young people lured into scam networks.<\/p>\n
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\u201cProtecting these people must be the measure against which we judge our efforts,\u201d Juma said. \u201cIt must be our north star.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Congress runs until October 1 under the theme Protecting People and Planet in the Digital Age.<\/p>\n
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More than 5 100 participants from 119 countries are attending, including over 40 justice ministers and representatives from governments, civil society, academia and the private sector.<\/p>\n
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–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n
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