Sarmad Infographic | UAE Launches New Global Compact for Multilateral Action to Consolidate Justice and Rule of Law
(WAM) – Since its first session in Geneva in 1955, the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has served as an international platform for multilateral action, intergovernmental dialogue, exchange of expertise, and the development of standards and policies in the fields of crime prevention, strengthening criminal justice, and the rule of law.
The United Arab Emirates is launching a new chapter in the trajectory of this prominent UN event by hosting the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Abu Dhabi 2026, from September 26 to October 1, 2026. This reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting the international framework for enhancing criminal justice, the rule of law, and the security and stability of societies, as well as its dedication to providing an inclusive space for dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange, and to supporting efforts aimed at protecting people, communities, and the environment, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the United Nations, over the past seven decades, the Congress’s agenda has evolved in parallel with global transformations, shifting from a focus on prison conditions and juvenile treatment to addressing organized crime and transnational crime, and more recently to cybercrime, artificial intelligence, environmental crimes, and the role of criminal justice in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Held every five years, the Congress brings together governments, experts, academics, and civil society organizations to create an inclusive space for international discussion on the best ways to prevent crime, promote justice, and strengthen the rule of law.
The first Congress was held in Geneva from August 22 to September 3, 1955, with 512 participants from 61 countries. Its discussions focused on several topics, including juvenile delinquency, open penal institutions, the selection and training of prison staff, and work within penal institutions.
Among its key outcomes was the adoption of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which later became an important international reference in the field of prisoner treatment and penal reform.
The second session was hosted in London in 1960, focusing on prison and short-term sentence issues, prison work, parole, the reintegration of released prisoners into society, and the role of national planning in crime prevention. The Congress also recommended the establishment of specialized police services for juvenile matters.
The third session, held in Stockholm in 1965, discussed the relationship between social change and crime, the role of the community in prevention, special measures for juveniles and youth, and reducing recidivism.
The fourth Congress took place in Kyoto, Japan, in 1970, during which the first UN Declaration on Crime was adopted.
The fifth Congress returned to Geneva in 1975, expanding its scope to include terrorism, violence, drug-related crime, migration, crimes targeting cultural property, and other issues of an international nature.
The sixth Congress, held in Caracas in 1980, focused on crime trends and prevention strategies, the development of standards for juvenile treatment, alternatives to penal institutions, community-based measures, and the needs of female prisoners.
The seventh session, held in Milan in 1985, marked a significant shift in the development of international standards for criminal justice. The Congress adopted the Milan Plan of Action, along with a set of standards concerning the administration of juvenile justice, the rights of crime victims, judicial independence, and the transfer of foreign prisoners.
The Eighth Congress, held in Havana in 1990, discussed international crime and criminal justice in the 21st century, with growing attention to organized crime and terrorism and the need for international cooperation to combat them.
Cairo hosted the Ninth Congress in 1995 under the theme “The Pursuit of Security and Justice for All,” focusing on international cooperation and practical technical assistance to strengthen the rule of law and build the capacity of criminal justice systems.
The Tenth Congress took place in Vienna in 2000, a period marked by rising interest in transnational crime. The Congress adopted the Vienna Declaration, which emphasized the importance of enhancing international cooperation in combating transnational crime and reforming criminal justice systems.
Bangkok hosted the Eleventh Congress in 2005, which adopted the Bangkok Declaration, an important political document that reinforced the United Nations’ direction toward developing international coordination and cooperation in crime prevention and control and criminal justice reform. At this stage, the official name of the Congress became the “United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.”
The Twelfth Congress, held in Salvador, Brazil, in 2010, focused on the relationship between justice and development, emphasizing the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to reforming criminal justice systems and enhancing their capacities, alongside addressing emerging forms of crime globally.
Doha hosted the Thirteenth Congress in 2015, marking the 60th anniversary of the launch of the United Nations crime congresses. The Congress focused on integrating crime prevention and criminal justice into the broader United Nations agenda to address social and economic challenges and to strengthen the rule of law at both national and international levels. It also examined international and regional cooperation to combat transnational organized crime, responses to new and emerging forms of crime, and the role of community participation in enhancing crime prevention and criminal justice.
The Fourteenth Congress convened in Kyoto, Japan, in 2021, after being postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It brought together approximately 5,600 participants representing 152 member states, 37 intergovernmental organizations, and 114 non-governmental organizations. The Congress adopted the “Kyoto Declaration on Advancing Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice, and the Rule of Law toward Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” underscoring the interlinkages between crime prevention, justice, the rule of law, and sustainable development.
The Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Abu Dhabi 2026, carries the comprehensive title “Accelerating Action in Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice, and the Rule of Law: Protecting People and the Planet and Achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in the Digital Age.” The Congress is expected to attract between 3,000 and 5,000 participants from more than 97 countries worldwide, including over 32 Ministers of Justice, 93 speakers from countries and regional groups, and 62 high-level participants, with 46 attending in person and 16 virtually. This will provide ample space for exchanging experiences, showcasing initiatives, and building new partnerships, leading to practical outcomes and a sustainable legacy that supports international efforts to develop justice, prevent crime, and strengthen the rule of law.
From Geneva in 1955 to Abu Dhabi in 2026, the Congress continues its journey within an inclusive international framework, reflecting the evolution and broadening scope of the concept of criminal justice, and reaffirming the importance of joint action in protecting communities, consolidating the rule of law, and supporting security, justice, and sustainable development.
