Abu Dhabi Call to Action Targets Environmental Crime Networks
Unveiled at the UN Crime Congress, it seeks international cooperation, joint operations and greater focus on environmental crime.
The Ministry of Interior has launched the “Abu Dhabi Call to Action”, an international initiative calling for stronger cooperation against environmental crime and the organised networks behind it.
The initiative was announced during the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, where officials called for more joint law enforcement operations, information sharing and cross-border investigations.
Colonel Dana Al Marzouqi, Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, said environmental offences are increasingly linked to transnational organised crime, with networks profiting from illegal mining, logging, wildlife trafficking, fuel smuggling and land seizures.
She pointed to Operation Green Shield 2026, which involved law enforcement agencies from several South American countries with UAE support through the International Initiative for Law Enforcement for Climate.
That initiative was launched by the Ministry of Interior and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2023 to support specialist training, intelligence sharing and joint operations.
UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said groups involved in environmental crime are often connected to other illicit activities, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking.
The session, organised with UNODC, INTERPOL, France and Azerbaijan, focused on improving international coordination and strengthening justice systems to deal with crimes involving natural resources.
