Abu Dhabi: The UAE has pledged a contribution of €50 million (approximately Dh199 million) to the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World to support seven Interpol projects designed to combat terrorism and global crime, officials said on Monday.
The announcement was made ahead of an inaugural Unity for Security Forum to be held in Abu Dhabi from Tuesday through Thursday.
The forum is being held under the patronage of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and in partnership with Interpol and the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World.
Organisers said the forum will bring together ministers, senior police officials, and industry representatives, to collectively address common issues and identify their responsibilities in implementing a global policing architecture to combat future security threats.
Seven priority crime areas will be the focus of the forum including counter-terrorism, cybercrime, cultural heritage, vulnerable communities, vehicle crime, drugs and illicit goods. These will be addressed on local, national and global levels, leveraging the collective expertise of the members of Interpol, and those gathered to enable global police forces to work together to make the world a safer place.
Brigadier Hamad Ajlan Al Amimi, Director General of the Federal Criminal Police at the Ministry of Interior, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and partnership with all countries, institutions and international bodies to enhance efforts of the UAE to ensure safety and security of the international community.
“Building relations with relevant institutions in the fight against crime, including Interpol, its member countries and Interpol Foundation for a Safer World, strengthens the fight against global crime through cooperation,” said Brigadier Al Amimi.
He added the UAE’s support for seven Interpol projects underscores its continued commitment to ensuring the security and safety of the international community in a way that enhances the security and stability of the country and its belief that the fight against crime requires concerted efforts and global coordination.
Elias Murr, President of the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World, said they welcomed the continued partnership and leadership demonstrated by the UAE Government in sponsoring these seven projects, which deal with some of the complex threats at present.
“The funding will help ensure we are able to build diverse collaborations that bring together technical expertise and knowledge of these issues to ensure safety and security.
Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock said the contribution comes at a time when the world policing body is being encouraged to play a larger role in improving global security.
“Time and again world events remind us of how increasingly important it is to stand united in the face of challenges to global security,” said Stock. “The generosity of the UAE’s contribution will have a significant impact on strengthening the work of law enforcement worldwide.
“The threats posed by terrorism, organised crime and cybercrime are more complex and global than ever, requiring Interpol to play an even stronger role in international police cooperation.
“However, meeting these global security challenges is not, and should not be, something which police can do in isolation. Expertise and support from the private sector is also essential and this Forum will provide us all with insights on how we can better unify our efforts and meet our individual responsibilities,” concluded the Interpol head.
The projects supported by the contribution, are aimed at addressing issues within identified priority crime areas around the world, each designed to deliver specific initiatives and plans to help combat these crimes.
UAE Interpol member since 1973
The UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda aims for the UAE to be the safest place in the world, and efforts by the Ministry of Interior and the various security forces and legislative actions are positioning the nation at the forefront of this priority. The country’s success in protecting all aspects of society has driven key pillars of the economy, including attracting and retaining investments, bolstering tourism and increasing happiness in a diverse community.
The UAE became an Interpol member country in October 1973, and the Interpol National Central Bureau for the UAE is located in Abu Dhabi as part of the Ministry of Interior. It is the key working platform for all international police investigations requiring cooperation with UAE police authorities.
While the event is not open to the public, live updates will be provided throughout the event on social media using #UnityForSecurity. For details, log on to www.unityforsecurity.com
