The UAE has initiated an international effort to combat environmental crime, launching the “Abu Dhabi Call to Action” during the UN Crime Congress held in Abu Dhabi. This initiative aims to enhance global cooperation and strengthen law enforcement operations against crimes involving natural resources, as highlighted by officials who noted the increasing connections between environmental offences and organised crime networks, according to WAM.
Colonel Dana Al Marzouqi, Director General of International Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Interior, introduced the call for action at a high-level event in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and representatives from France and Azerbaijan. She emphasised that environmental crime is evolving into a form of transnational organised crime, with criminal groups exploiting natural resources for illicit gains.
During the event, Al Marzouqi also presented the outcomes of Operation Green Shield 2026, which involved law enforcement agencies from several South American nations, supported by the UAE. This operation targeted various illegal activities, including mining and logging, wildlife trafficking, fuel smuggling, and land seizures in the Amazon Basin.
The International Initiative for Law Enforcement for Climate, launched by the UAE Ministry of Interior and UNODC in 2023, aims to enhance collaboration through specialist training, information sharing, and joint operations in combating environmental crime.
Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, noted that criminal organisations involved in environmental crimes are often linked to other illegal activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking. She stressed the need for robust justice systems to support existing international legal frameworks.
The session also included participation from INTERPOL, France, and Azerbaijan, focusing on improving cross-border investigations and disrupting networks that exploit natural resources. This event took place on the second day of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which will continue at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) until October 1.
Follow our UAE news coverage for related developments.
