The United Nations is set to convene a Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi, focusing on the ways digital tools and emerging technologies are reshaping illicit behavior. The gathering follows a series of warnings from UN officials that criminal enterprises are adapting more quickly than the institutions tasked with preventing and investigating offenses.

Monica Juma, who was reported by UN News — Global as working from her Vienna office ahead of the summit, highlighted the disparity between the speed of technological innovation and the slower evolution of legal and policing frameworks. She emphasized that the gap poses significant challenges for international cooperation and the enforcement of existing statutes.

According to the UN outlet, the conference will bring together representatives from member states, law‑enforcement agencies, and civil‑society groups to examine the impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence, encrypted communications, and online marketplaces on crime patterns. Participants are expected to discuss strategies for strengthening cross‑border collaboration and updating regulatory mechanisms to keep pace with new threats.

The UN News report notes that the Crime Congress aims to produce recommendations that could inform future policy and capacity‑building initiatives. While specific outcomes have not yet been detailed, the agenda is expected to cover topics ranging from cyber‑fraud and ransomware to the illicit use of emerging tech in organized crime networks.

Organizers of the event have indicated that the discussions will also explore the role of the private sector in mitigating technology‑enabled crime, as well as the need for greater investment in technical expertise within law‑enforcement bodies. The overarching goal, as described by UN officials, is to align international response mechanisms with the rapidly evolving landscape of criminal activity.

The Abu Dhabi meeting underscores a growing consensus within the United Nations that the traditional approaches to crime prevention must be modernized. By addressing the technological dimensions of illicit conduct, the Crime Congress seeks to close the gap between criminal innovation and institutional response.

Reporting attribution: based on reporting by UN News — Global — original source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2026/09/1168370.