UAE signs judicial agreements at UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi

The UAE signed judicial cooperation agreements with Qatar and Bahrain on Sunday as the UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi moved into its second day, with artificial intelligence, online fraud and money laundering also among the issues under discussion.

UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi signed separate memoranda of understanding with Qatar's Ministry of Justice and Bahrain's Ministry of Legal Affairs.

The agreements are aimed at strengthening legal and judicial cooperation, including the exchange of information and evidence, mutual legal assistance and extradition procedures.

They will also support cooperation on organised and financial crime, including money laundering and the misuse of virtual assets, as well as efforts to trace, freeze and recover criminal proceeds.

Al Nuaimi also held meetings with counterparts from Ireland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Thailand, Belgium and San Marino during the second day of the Congress.

Elsewhere, discussions examined the growing use of artificial intelligence in online scams and how authorities can improve the identification of victims, trace digital evidence and pursue perpetrators across borders.

Sessions also focused on disrupting money laundering, terrorism financing and corruption, alongside the responsible use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies within criminal justice systems.

Other issues included human trafficking in the digital age, environmental crime, drug-related crime and the protection of victims.

The Congress continues at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi until 1 October.