Mr Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. Andorra, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.

Chair,

We would first like to thank the United Arab Emirates for hosting the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi. The EU looks forward to working closely with all partners to ensure its success.

We also wish to commend the work carried out in the context of the CCPCJ thematic discussions on the follow-up to the Kyoto Declaration. These sessions have provided a valuable platform to transform the commitments of the Fourteenth Congress into practical actions. The insights shared and lessons learned during this process will help shape a robust path forward.

The Crime Congress remains a unique global platform to enhance our collective efforts in preventing and countering crime. The Kyoto Declaration on advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards the achievement of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development” has enabled meaningful progress in key areas such as access to justice, rule of law, and international cooperation. We recognise that significant challenges remain and new ones emerge. We now have the opportunity to enhance our collaboration, innovation, and the shared understanding of the value of multilateralism value in addressing these challenges. 

We thank the Secretariat and the host countries for holding the five regional preparatory meetings that provided an opportunity for member states and stakeholders to provide input for the valuable reports produced. The active and constructive participation of the EU and its Member States in the European preparatory regional meeting underscores our commitment to this important process. We are pleased that these contributions will feed into the drafting of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, ensuring that it reflects diverse regional perspectives and priorities.

We welcome the overarching theme of the upcoming Congress on: “Accelerating crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: protecting people and planet and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age”. We remain steadfast in our support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Congress will serve as a vital forum for dialogue among Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, including civil society and academia and the private sector, and individual experts from various professions and disciplines. This multi-stakeholder approach is essential to ensure comprehensive and effective responses to crime.

Finally, we underline the importance of an inclusive and transparent preparatory process for the Fifteenth Congress. Only through open and broad engagement can we build the foundations for meaningful outcomes and a shared commitment to advancing justice and security for all.

Thank you, Chair.