Abu Dhabi, 01 October 2026: Rabdan Academy concluded its participation in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Abu Dhabi 2026, with academic, research and student engagement spanning high-level sessions, ancillary meetings and international discussions addressing key issues shaping the future of crime prevention and criminal justice.
The Congress serves as a major global platform for developing crime prevention policies, advancing criminal justice systems and promoting the rule of law, bringing together representatives of governments, international organisations, civil society, academia, research institutions and experts from around the world. This edition witnessed the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration as the Congress’s principal political and strategic outcome document, guiding international priorities and cooperation in crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law over the next five years.
As part of the Academy’s participation, Dr. Omer Ali Saifudeen, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies Affairs at Rabdan Academy, moderated a high-level session organised by the UAE Ministry of Interior titled “No Victim Without Identity, No Crime Without Prosecution: Tackling Cyber-Fraud in the Age of AI.” The session brought together Monica Juma, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, alongside officials, experts and specialists from international institutions and law enforcement agencies.
The session addressed the rapidly evolving nature of transnational cyber-fraud networks, their links to organised crime and human trafficking, and the growing use of artificial intelligence to enable sophisticated forms of fraud and impersonation. Discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation, information sharing, joint investigations, and the tracing and recovery of illicit funds, while maintaining a strong focus on victim protection.
As part of the Congress’s official Ancillary Meetings Programme, Rabdan Academy organised a panel discussion titled “Bridging Academia, Industry and Law Enforcement: Evaluating AI Applications in Witness Statement Taking.” The session explored the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence in witness statement taking and the importance of bringing academic knowledge and professional practice together when assessing emerging applications of technology in law enforcement.
The session featured Dr. Eric Halford, Associate Professor and Associate Researcher in the Policing and Security Programme; Dr. Carlos Iglesias, Assistant Professor and Assistant Researcher in the Policing and Security Programme; Khaled Alhameli, a fourth-year BSc in Policing and Security student; and Jude Al Ibbini, a fourth-year BSc in Business Continuity Management student.
Bringing together academic expertise and student perspectives, the discussion examined AI applications in witness statement taking and contributed to the broader dialogue on the responsible use of emerging technologies in law enforcement and criminal justice, an area also reflected in the wider agenda of the Congress and the Abu Dhabi Declaration.
The Academy’s participation extended to other meetings and deliberations during the Congress. Dr. Jaco Barkhuizen, Program Chair – Policing and Security Program at Rabdan Academy, participated as a special observer and representative of the World Society of Victimology, taking part in high-level meetings, Congress deliberations, committees and working groups, and sharing expert insights in areas related to policing, security and victimology.
Dr. Barkhuizen also attended the NGO Lab, in the presence of UNODC Executive Director Monica Juma, which explored how NGOs and academic institutions can contribute to the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration 2026. His participation also included an ancillary meeting marking 40 years of the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.
Rabdan Academy’s participation in this international event reflects its approach to connecting education and research with professional practice, while contributing academic expertise to international discussions on emerging security and criminal justice challenges. It also provides students with opportunities to engage in global platforms alongside policymakers, experts and practitioners, supporting knowledge exchange and the development of research- and practice-informed responses to evolving security and justice challenges.
