Dubai hosts 14th regional summit to combat rising global IP crimes
INTERPOL, UAE agencies, IP leaders highlight threats from fake drugs, fraud, AI misuse
Under the patronage of Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai. Dubai has launched the 14th Regional Conference on Combating Intellectual Property (IP) Crimes in the Middle East and North Africa, held today at the Dubai Police Officers Club. The event, organised by the Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA) and INTERPOL, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and the Council of Trademark Owners, is being held under the theme: “Intellectual Property Strategy: From Planning to Integration.”
The conference has attracted over 450 experts and specialists from more than 25 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States, representing law enforcement, government, and private sectors. It aims to highlight future capabilities in tackling IP crimes, promote information exchange among agencies, showcase best practices, and explore the latest smart technologies and analytical tools.
Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan expressed his pleasure at hosting the regional event, emphasizing that collaboration with local, regional, and international institutions demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to protecting creativity and the rights of innovators.
“Intellectual property is a cornerstone of modern economies,” he said, “enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, and supporting sustainable development. Crimes against IP, both physical and digital, demand coordinated action from security agencies, private sector, legislative bodies, and international organisations.”
Highlighting the UAE’s achievements, he noted that the country ranks first in the Arab world and among the top 30 globally in the 2025 Global Innovation Index by WIPO, reflecting a strong legislative and institutional environment for innovation and research.
He praised the EIPA, led by Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Al Obaidly, for fostering a culture of IP protection and training over 9,000 specialists in collaboration with national and international partners.
“This year’s theme, ‘From Planning to Integration,’ underscores our vision of transforming strategies into a fully integrated system of cooperation to safeguard intellectual property rights,” he concluded.
Trends, challenges, and initiatives
Major General Dr. Abdul Quddus Al Obaidly, Chairman of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA), highlighted the growing global threat of IP crimes, noting that they now form a critical part of economic security. “Our analyses indicate annual growth in IP-related crimes in the region between 8% and 12%, particularly in digital commerce and supply chains,” he said.
Dr. Al Obaidly added that the UAE has recorded an estimated 22% decline in counterfeit goods cases over the past five years, thanks to effective federal and local coordination. He also highlighted the role of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, in cutting detection times by nearly 45% when integrated into enforcement operations.
The conference also highlighted a surge in innovation, with the association recording a 30% rise in requests for technical consultation over three years, reflecting a growing culture of creativity and innovation in the UAE.
EIPA’s contributions to enforcement include training over 4,000 law enforcement personnel and implementing pioneering programs with INTERPOL and WIPO, offering critical studies and legislative support to government authorities.
Also Read: World Police Summit kicks off in Dubai
This year, EIPA launched the “Intellectual Property Community Partnership Award” to recognize companies and entities that actively raise awareness about IP rights, support enforcement, and protect consumers. The award aims to strengthen corporate social responsibility in innovation, foster public-private partnerships, and highlight institutions safeguarding the national economy and creators’ rights.
Global challenges highlighted
Dr. Al Obaidly highlighted several high-profile global cases:
Counterfeit aircraft parts – the biggest threat to civil aviation safety: Investigations in 2023 and 2024 revealed that AOG Technics falsified documents and certifications for commercial aircraft engine parts, which entered supply chains and even reached passenger planes globally. He emphasized: “Imagine a ‘fake part’ between the sky and the ground. This is not merely an intellectual property issue—it is a matter of national safety.”
Counterfeit weight-loss drugs – TikTok and the internet as an open crime lab: Global circulation of counterfeit injections, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, has been reported. Some contained completely different substances, causing serious health incidents in Europe and America. “The crime is no longer confined to the ‘black market’; it now occurs through clinics, pharmacies, and social media platforms,” he said.
Africa – where intellectual property becomes a humanitarian issue: According to the World Health Organization, one in ten medicines in low- and middle-income countries is counterfeit or substandard. Africa accounts for about 42% of global counterfeit drug cases.
E-commerce and small parcels – the most dangerous loophole in 2025: Today, 90% of U.S. customs seizures in commercial trade come from small parcels (De Minimis), meaning international gangs send millions of small packages to millions of consumers without proper inspection. “The mail parcel has become the world’s largest entry point for counterfeit goods,” he warned.
He also provided a brief continental overview:
Asia: China and Hong Kong lead as sources of counterfeit goods globally, with logistics routes through Turkey, the UAE, and Vietnam.
Europe: 152 million counterfeit items seized in 2023 worth €3.4 billion—a 77% increase from the previous year.
The Americas: Over 19,700 violating shipments seized in the U.S. during 2023, totaling 23 million items.
Africa: The highest share of counterfeit medicines globally, reaching up to 30% of the pharmaceutical market in some countries.
Australia: Major seizures of counterfeit products and illicit tobacco, with tax losses exceeding AUD 4 billion.
“These are not isolated cases; they are transcontinental criminal networks, operating smartly, exploiting technology and open borders, imposing a shared responsibility on all of us to confront them,” he said.
Three key messages he emphasized:
Intellectual property is a security issue: It is not only an economic concern but also part of national security, public health, and consumer protection.
Digital platforms are essential partners in enforcement: No single authority can fight millions of incoming parcels daily. The solution lies in holding platforms, payment companies, and e-commerce responsible.
Data and criminal intelligence: Today’s crime involves supply chains, financing, transport, money laundering, and international networks. The solution begins with police intelligence, information, and proactive analysis.
He concluded by reaffirming EIPA’s commitment to work with INTERPOL and global partners to transform challenges into success stories, making IP protection a cornerstone of security and sustainability.
Dr. Al Obaidly extended his gratitude to Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim for his patronage, as well as INTERPOL, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and Nissan for supporting the conference.
Dr. Maria Hanif Al Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary for Policies and Economic Studies at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, said the UAE has built an integrated legal, regulatory, and technological framework for IP, positioning the country as a global hub for innovation and creativity.
Key initiatives include three laws covering trademarks, copyright, and industrial property; the Intellectual Property System with over 50 initiatives; the InstaBlock Center, blocking 33,000+ websites; and the IP Committee, coordinating enforcement across sectors.
By September 2025, the UAE recorded 402,311 trademarks, 23,829 intellectual works, 7,915 patents, and 11,346 industrial designs. Ranked 30th globally in innovation, the UAE leverages cybersecurity, AI, and emerging technologies to fight digital IP crimes, supporting the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
Youssef Azeer Mubarak, Director of Intellectual Property Rights Protection, said Dubai Customs has proactively safeguarded IP through smart systems, staff training, and coordination with local and international partners.
In 2024, Dubai Customs carried out 285 IP seizures worth Dh 92.695 million, while registering 439 trademarks, 205 commercial agencies, and six knowledge assets.
He also highlighted the launch of the ZERO Project, aimed at achieving “zero IP violations” at Dubai’s customs points using AI and big data to detect suspicious shipments before arrival.
“Innovation can only thrive where rights are protected. Dubai Customs remains a key partner in global efforts to combat cross-border economic crimes,” he said.
INTERPOL expert Christine Pedersen has warned of a growing “silent, borderless war” against intellectual property (IP) crimes, increasingly driven by cybercrime.
“IP crimes are no longer limited to street counterfeits,” Pedersen said. “Fake medicines, pirated software, and counterfeit medical device components now leave digital footprints, putting patients, children, workers, and consumers at risk.”
She highlighted recent INTERPOL operations: Operation Pangea 17 seized over 50 million fake medicine doses across 90 countries, while online pharmaceutical fraud in the MENA region has risen by 40%. Last month, INTERPOL’s I-SOP project dismantled a regional network distributing pirated medical software that had caused diagnostic errors.
Pedersen called for tighter collaboration among customs, cybersecurity units, IP crime investigators, financial intelligence teams, and private-sector rights holders. “Investigators must understand trademarks, patents, malware, domain records, and blockchain,” she said.
The conference brought together UAE authorities, including the Ministries of Economy, Interior, and Justice, police leadership, customs, courts, telecommunications regulators, national airlines, and private-sector companies from automotive, fashion, medical, and tech sectors.
International participants included INTERPOL, Gulf IP offices, the Arab League, global IP protection firms, and experts from Europe, the United States, and GCC countries.
The event marked another step in strengthening regional cooperation against digital IP crimes, raising awareness of the risks posed by counterfeit and pirated products.
Conference sessions and focus areas
The conference includes sessions on cybersecurity as a shield against IP crimes, AI and emerging technologies in enforcement, and public-private collaboration for consumer and supply chain protection.
Participants include UAE ministries, police leadership, customs, courts, national media, airports, airlines, and private-sector partners, alongside international bodies such as INTERPOL, Arab League, and global IP organisations.
The event concluded with a call for strengthened regional and international cooperation to protect intellectual property, support innovation, and combat the growing criminal economy around IP infringement.
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