Justice Minister Reviews Judicial Development Achievements and Announces New Commitments Until 2031

Cairo – Khadija Hamouda: Justice Minister Mahmoud Helmy El-Sharif participated in the work of the fifteenth session of the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi under the theme “Protecting People and the Planet in the Digital Age,” organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In his opening address to the Congress, the Minister of Justice outlined the vision of the Arab Republic of Egypt and its pioneering national experience in crime prevention, developing the criminal justice system, consolidating the rule of law, and advancing human rights. He highlighted the legislative and judicial breakthroughs witnessed by the country, foremost among them the new Criminal Procedure Law, the computerization of justice facilities, the expansion of remote litigation, and the development of protection systems for vulnerable groups. He also emphasized efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and the modernization of penal philosophy in rehabilitation and reform centers, in line with the Presidential Initiative “Hayat Karama” (A Dignified Life) aimed at human development and crime prevention.

At the outset of the Congress, the Minister of Justice announced Egypt’s commitment to justice during the Abu Dhabi cycle (2026–2031), which includes launching strategies to combat organized crime and cybercrime, establishing a legislative framework to combat organized fraud, and setting up the “Egyptian-African Center for Training on Prevention and Combating Cybercrime” and the “Regional Center for Training to Combat Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property.” The commitment also entails expanding digital forensic laboratories, completing the ratification procedures for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, strengthening the partnership with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), and updating the Arab Riyadh Convention on Judicial Cooperation.

On the bilateral and international level, the Minister of Justice held extensive discussions with Monica Juma, Executive Director of UNODC and Head of the UN Office at Vienna. He expressed Egypt’s pride in the leadership of an African official at the UN office and reaffirmed the continuity of coordination in areas such as judicial training and the establishment of specialized regional centers.

At the invitation of the UAE Minister of Justice, the Egyptian Minister of Justice participated in a high-level ministerial side event bringing together the Ministers of Justice of the French Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium, along with representatives of participating delegations, to discuss mechanisms for enhancing international judicial cooperation and exchanging best national practices and experiences. The meeting featured a comprehensive review of the UAE experience and its progress in coordinating between judicial authorities and facilitating requests for legal assistance, particularly in tracing and recovering stolen funds and assets. It also addressed procedural challenges arising from the complexity of transnational crimes and differing legal systems. The ministers agreed on the necessity of developing institutional frameworks, accelerating judicial letters rogatory procedures, tracing assets, and expediting the exchange of digital evidence, thereby supporting the effectiveness of international justice in combating corruption and organized crime.

A special bilateral meeting was also held with the UAE Minister of Justice, attended by the Egyptian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, to discuss strengthening cooperation frameworks and exchanging expertise in judicial and legal fields.

On the sidelines of the Congress, the Minister of Justice held an extensive fraternal meeting with Egyptian judges and members of the Egyptian judicial bodies seconded to work in the sister state of the United Arab Emirates. He expressed his deep pride in the exemplary judicial model they represent, which embodies the antiquity and enduring traditions of the Egyptian judiciary and contributes effectively to supporting and developing the UAE’s judicial system. He affirmed that Egyptian judges abroad are the best ambassadors for their country and the message of justice, and urged them to continue their excellence and judicial dedication, reflecting Egypt’s historical and pioneering status and its legal expertise on Arab and international platforms.