‘UAE will continue to support war against terrorism’

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, opened the Interpol General Assembly conference at Madinat Jumeriah.

Dubai is the first city in the region to hold this prestiougous conference. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, was also present.

Partnership

“The UAE will always support it international partners in the war on terrorism,” Shaikh Saif reiterated.

He praised the Interpol’s efforts which helped identify nearly 40,000 terrorists and around 118,000 stolen vehicles worldwide last year.

In child sex abuse sector, Interpol identified more than 5,600 offenders.

“The assembly aims to make the world a safer place by connecting police departments of countries around the world,” Shaikh noted.

Bringing together nearly 1,000 official representatives from 173 countries, including 85 police chiefs and nearly 40 ministers, the four-day conference will address how technology will change future threats and how it can be used by law enforcement to meet these challenges.

With more than 55 per cent of the world’s population having internet access, criminals are increasingly going after data as a means to make money, as shown by recent ransomware attack. Increased use of Artificial Intelligence and robotics, as well as innovation in the field of forensics are also key issues for discussion.

Kim Jong Yang, Interpol Senior Vice President, praised the UAE for hosting the international police cooperation’s largest event and affirmed that Interpol is set for the next course of its work in addressing transnational crime and terrorism.

“In the age of unprecedented information exchange, police the world over are increasingly facing new challenges. Gathering best practices with an international model, Interpol provides a neutral, well-connected platform,” Yang said.

Interpol’s Secretary General Jürgen Stock and Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, said that delegates will identify the most important challenges, explore the future role of technology and Artificial Intelligence in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, and discuss enhancing cooperation to make the world a safer place.Unprecedentedattendance

Unprecedented attendance

“The UAE’s membership in Interpol is one of our most important working relationships. This year’s attendance is unprecedented, which is a reflection on the UAE’s ability to host major international events,” Maj Gen Al Merri said in a joint press conference ahead of the assembly.

Interpol’s secretary general said, partnerships with regional bodies played an important role in developing a strong global security architecture.

“With increased pressure on law enforcement resources, we must avoid duplication of effort if we are to work effectively in making the world a safer place,” Stock said.

“We will discuss the complex terrorism and crime threats which affect us all, and to address future challenges. Interpol’s databases contain 93 million records and they are being checked up to 200 times per second.”

Between November 18 and 21, delegates will also be updated on Interpol’s three crime programmes: counter-terrorism, cybercrime and organised and emerging crime, as well as linked operational successes.

Applications for membership from Kiribati, Kosovo and Vanuatu will be considered by the General Assembly, which will also vote for a new President along with Executive Committee posts for the Americas, Asia and European regions on the final day of the conference.