Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Police is hosting the third edition of the World Police Summit at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 5-7 March 2024.
The three-day Summit will convene over 100 global police leaders, 170+ exhibitors, and a multitude of speakers and experts from over 109 countries. With the goal of fostering knowledge exchange and sharing best practices, nearly 140 sessions are planned across the event.
Comprehensive Vision
His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, confirmed that the World Police Summit, over the course of two years, has played a key role in guiding international law enforcement towards more organised, accurate, and professional frameworks for combating organised crime.
“It also has enabled police leaders, experts, and law enforcement agencies to gain a more comprehensive and integrated view of new policing trends and challenges in a rapidly changing world,” he added.
Citing the event as a crucial platform, Al Marri stated that the World Police Summit in Dubai serves as a vital source of security-related information, providing law enforcement agencies with the latest best practices, technologies, and developments to enhance their capabilities in tackling crimes that are rapidly changing due to globalisation and digitisation.
Al Marri emphasised that the annual Summit, held under the aegis of the UAE’s Ministry of Interior, serves as a platform for security meetings between international police leaders and law enforcement agencies at the local, regional, and international levels.
“The Summit facilitates communication between governments and policymakers and provides an opportunity to discuss key priorities that shape the future of police agencies. Additionally, it aims to explore and research the latest solutions required to enhance public safety and security to confront potential threats such as transnational criminal syndicates and cross-border cybercrimes,” he said.
International Partnerships
Major General Dr Abdul Quddus Abdul Razzaq Al Obaidly, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Excellence and Pioneering Affairs, emphasised that the World Police Summit is the foremost event in the world that brings together elite global police leaders, security experts, and law enforcement agencies in one place to collaborate, exchange information, and discuss the latest developments in relevant fields.
“The Summit’s objective is to tackle the most critical worldwide challenges related to combating crime, as well as to examine methods of boosting security and advancing safety,” he continued.
A Global Hub for Security
Brigadier Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Mualla, Director of the General Department for Excellence and Pioneering, Chairman of the World Police Summit Executive Committee, confirmed that the Summit achieved a global presence and became a leading police platform where specialised security minds meet. It also serves as a global hub to discuss issues affecting community security, especially with its allocation of an international exhibition highlighting the most prominent digital and technological tools and artificial intelligence systems that support crime-fighting operations.
Al Mualla added, “Criminal methods are changing rapidly, influenced by the enormous evolution imposed by the communications revolution and information networks. This is in addition to the formidable power of artificial intelligence systems, making it difficult to maintain the privacy and security of personal and institutional information. Therefore, it has become essential for police and security agencies worldwide to create innovative working mechanisms that rely on the latest technological advancements. This also includes enhancing international relations and partnerships in fighting organised crime, exchanging information and knowledge, and utilising all possible resources to support the security system in the battle against transnational crimes.”
World Police Summit 2023 Highlights Need for Enhanced International Cooperation
Law enforcement leaders, experts, and specialists have agreed on the necessity of adopting modern, flexible work methodologies that keep pace with global changes in crime trends using digital tools. They emphasised the need for proactive measures to combat crime, learning from global policing experiences in crime fighting, enhancing international cooperation among police forces, and sharing knowledge and successful practices, in addition to keeping abreast of the latest developments and challenges.
These points came as part of 56 recommendations included in the Summit’s post-report, which revolved around six conference topics: anti-narcotics, drones, innovation and resilience, forensic sciences, crime prevention, and K9 security inspection units.
The World Police Summit 2023 successfully attracted 13,612 attendees and 240 speakers, officially representing 110 countries in 140 sessions. On the Summit’s sidelines, 30 official meetings were held to discuss cooperation between official delegations representing their countries, along with 68 side meetings. Dubai Police enhanced its international relations by holding 75 meetings with different delegations and signing 17 memorandums of understanding that support its operations in various fields.
Global Recognition for Dubai Police During World Police Summit 2023: Honours and Appreciation for Efforts in International Cooperation and Crime Control
Several countries and police forces on the sidelines of the World Police Summit 2023 expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Dubai Police General Command for its efforts in international cooperation and the provision of information that contributed to combating transcontinental crimes.
French President Emmanuel Macron awarded His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, the National Order of Merit in recognition of Al Marri’s efforts in boosting the mutual cooperation between Dubai Police and the French authorities. His Excellency Nicolas Niemtchinow, the French Ambassador to the UAE, presented the medal on behalf of the French President during the Summit.
The Japanese Police also expressed their thanks and appreciation to the General Department of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police, during the International Conference on Anti-Narcotics Issues, for their distinguished relations in the area of international information exchange.
Similarly, the Canadian Police thanked and appreciated the General Department for Ant-Narcotics at Dubai Police for their exceptional efforts in the exchange of international information and their contribution to the largest opium seizure in Canada’s modern history, amounting to 2.5 tons.
The Australian Police, in turn, honoured the General Department for Ant-Narcotics at Dubai Police for their fruitful international cooperation in information exchange, which included the passing of 26 vital security tips over the past three years, leading to the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of drugs.