Pakistan Calls For Stronger Global Cooperation at 15th UN Crime Congress
Pakistan calls for stronger global cooperation at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, being held in Abu Dhabi from 26 September to 1 October 2026.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates, Shafqat Ali Khan, delivered Pakistan’s National Statement on Monday. He congratulated the UAE on hosting the Congress and praised its warm hospitality.
Khan highlighted the evolving global crime landscape, noting that:
- Socio-economic inequalities
- Underdevelopment
- Misuse of digital and artificial intelligence technologies
are creating new challenges. He emphasized the need for renewed commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their connection to the rule of law.
Pakistan advocates:
- Increased international cooperation
- Greater national capacity-building
- Meaningful technical assistance and technology transfer for developing countries
The Ambassador also stressed the importance of:
- Safe, secure, and responsible development and use of emerging technologies
- Pakistan’s commitment to combating transnational organized crime and the global drug problem
- Reaffirming Pakistan’s efforts in counter-narcotics, including major drug seizures and poppy-free status
- Addressing potential expansion of opium cultivation and synthetic drug production in Afghanistan
- Combating the nexus between narcotics and terrorism
- Stronger international action against corruption, money laundering, and illicit financial flows
- Effective asset recovery and measures to deny safe havens for criminals
Khan also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling. He noted that safe migration pathways can help address these issues.
Expressing concern over rising Islamophobia, racism, and xenophobia, the Ambassador called for:
- Credible measures to counter hate speech
- Strengthened legal protection for victims of Islamophobia
- Promotion of mutual understanding and respect.
The UN Crime Congress is the United Nations’ premier global forum on crime prevention and criminal justice, held every five years. It brings together countries and stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation against crime.