The fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) will bring together ministers, chiefs of police and senior representatives of regional and professional policing organizations to United Nations Headquarters from 7 to 8 July 2026 to engage on strengthening international peace, security, and development for all through the unifying power and enabling role of national and United Nations policing.
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We will now resume with member state interventions. And as we all know, the topic is innovation and new technologies in United Nations policing. With that, we shall continue inviting distinguished representatives. Of our member states to deliver their respective statements. We now give the floor to our distinguished Honourable Minister of Interior for Police from the Dominican Republic. If you are ready, sir, the floor is yours.
Dominican Republic.
Thank you.
Thank you, madam.
I will speak in Spanish. Señora presidenta.
Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished heads of police, ladies and gentlemen. I'm speaking on behalf of the Dominican Republic, which under the leadership of President Luis Abinader currently has the lowest rate of homicides of the last few decades. Which is 6.9 out of every 100,000 inhabitants. This is a 44% fall over the last few years. Our greatest step forward was made possible through interoperability under the leadership of President Luis Abinader. This was also promoted by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Police.
This—
we built a platform that provides real-time connections between the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, Migration, Customs, systems, the Drugs Control Office, and the Interpol 24/7 base. Um, and our emergency 911 system reflects the same approach. Today we have around 7,000 video cameras with AI analytics that can automatically localize emergency calls and dispatch the closest unit within a few minutes. This technology helps us to save lives and improve our capacity to response. All of this has allowed us to improve and also recognize our own limits. No system can replace the trust of a community, and this trust is forged through profound police reform that is a great challenge but that our country has implemented. We are training a new generation of police officers, and I'm saying this humbly because transforming the police with more technology is something that takes decades. It's a It's a slow process that means that we have to dismantle deeply rooted processes and once again train every police officer. The Dominican Republic comes here telling— convinced that technology and human rights are mutually reinforcing and that technology can help us reach our goals. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Thank you so much, Your Excellency. We now call upon Deputy Director General of the Police and Border Guard Board from Estonia. The floor is yours.
Assistant Secretary General, Honorable Ministers, Head of Police and Gendarmerie, good colleagues. I recently received a scam call. I think many of you are too familiar with the kind of call I mean. Scams are now one of the most direct threats to people's money and mental well-being. In many countries, they have become a crime type of almost pandemic-level reach. Do not worry, I did not lose any money, but the call did make me think. There are so many of these calls that surely a machine should be able to understand what is a scam and what is not a scam. A question came to me: could we make the phone scam-proof? Could the system use metadata and other signs to detect a scam call while it's happening? Could it alert the person before the damage is done? Very quickly I decided that was impossible. It seemed technically difficult, it sounded too expensive, it was probably legally complicated, and it would raise serious privacy questions. So the idea stopped there. And I am afraid that this happens too often in police organizations. Good ideas about the technology stop too early. They stop because they look difficult, expensive, sensitive, or risky. But if we stop too early, we may pay a much higher price later. We all know that crime is becoming more technological. We know that more and more crime is moving from the streets into the digital world. At the same time, public support for stronger police powers or new police technology is often limited. People are worried about privacy. They are worried about control. And these worries are real. So the answer cannot be more technology at any cost. The answer must be trusted technology— technology that is lawful, proportionate, explainable, useful for the officer, and safe to the person— the to protect. In other words, innovation in policing is not only technological question, it's also question of vision, trust, and governance. For the last 2 years, I have been leading technological-related developments in border security in Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
For—
we are doing exciting things. We are using technology too early. People often say that ideas are easy to find. That may be true, but I think a own truly good idea is still underrated. A clear vision, a vision that inspires, a vision can create political support and public trust. A vision where the benefits are clear and the risks are taken seriously. Dear colleagues and partners, our countries' organizations are different. Our legal systems, resources, and risks are not the same. We do not need all exact same technology, but we all want the same thing. We want to be excellent and protecting and serving our people. In this room, we have thousands of years of experience creating safety. We have success stories. We also have mistakes and lessons learned. Together again, we can take the most difficult problems and turn into the strong visions. And from these visions, we can build the right technological solution technology that help us act early, decide better, and protect people more effectively. And if anyone here has an idea how to stop scam calls while they are happening, please find me during the break. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Representative of Estonia. I wish to call upon the Director General of Police, Haiti, kindly observe 2 minutes. Over to you, sir.
Madame la Secrétaire générale, delegates, ladies and gentlemen in your respective grades and capacities, I here carry the voice of a dignified nation upholding its security sovereignty. We are currently addressing national drugs trafficking. Particularly affecting the Haitian territory. In the face of these challenges, our country's security means that we need to adopt a new approach to technology. It has become essential to deploy high-level equipment for— and ships that are able to intercept territories and transform— transfer information in real time to the relevant authorities. This is no longer the time for isolated police action. It is for the relevant stakeholders to act, particularly through the UN COPS platform, which allows us to implement human, logistical, and technological police resources across the region. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot alone respond to a crisis that transcends our borders. We cannot secure our own countries if weapons continue to be fueled by terrorist enterprises. Therefore, this UN COPS 2026 allows us to highlight a flagrant contradiction. While the Republic of Haiti scrupulously respects the international regulations, the criminal coalitions that are destabilizing us mean that we need to respond multilaterally and ensure increased international police cooperation. Ladies and gentlemen, in light of the increased brutality of the abuses on our territory, we need to stop qualifying these groups in terms that would minimize their gravity. They work through an MO, which means that they are true terrorist organizations. What we have in Haiti is no longer isolated crime.— but part of a global system. This is fueled by the convergence of various types of trafficking and money laundering. It's not only a threat to our national stability, but also the security of our entire region. I therefore call for the systematic integration of police to address global security. It is through robust, comprehensive, coordinated action that we will be able to build a safer world. And finally, I would like to reiterate my profound thanks to the UN and the international community for their continued support to my country through the GSF in this hard battle against the criminal networks. The Haitian government strongly reaffirms that the security of Haiti responds sovereignly on the Haitian security forces mandated by the constitution of our country, the Haitian National Police and Armed Forces. Work tirelessly in this regard to restore peace, order, and for all Haitian people. Let us work for a safer world, a better Haiti. Thank you very much.
Thank you. I now wish to call upon the Chief of the State Police from Latvia, The floor is yours.
Excellencies, colleagues, Latvia welcomes the convening of the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit. We pay tribute to all UN police personnel serving across the globe and underscore the essential role of UN policing in advancing the goals of peacekeeping. In today's volatile security landscape, marked by ongoing conflicts, including Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, it is critical that UN policing continues to adapt in order to remain effective and relevant. The Action for Peacekeeping Impact Implementation Strategy provide a clear blueprint for this adoption. Yet turning these strategies into concrete action will require sustained collective effort. Allow me to highlight the importance of equipping police contingents with the right skills and tools to meet current challenges. While technology can never replace the core functions of police personnel, particularly in community engagement, it can significantly enhance their reach and capacity. Tools such as uncrewed aerial vehicles, satellite imagery, and AI-driven data analysis are no longer optional. They are critical for enabling preventive rather than reactive approaches and for strengthening the safety and security of UN personnel in the field. We must also address the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, which can undermine peace efforts and hate and risks for mission personnel and local populations. These challenges, often amplified through online platforms, demand our Group on Strengthening Information Integrity and UN Peacekeeping. Latvia will continue to contribute to this important initiative and supports its focus on practical results, including development of training packages for police officers in United Nations missions. To conclude, I wish to reaffirm my delegation's full cooperation in our collective efforts to strengthen United Nations policing as a vital instrument in the UN's peace and security toolbox. Thank you very much.
We thank the distinguished Chief of the State Police of Latvia. May I please call upon the Inspector General of Police, Malawi. The floor is yours.
Thank you. The SG for Peace and Operations Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, and distinguished Chiefs of Police present, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Malawi, I express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this important dialogue on innovation and new technologies in United Nations policy. The rapid digital transformation taking place across the world is reshaping the nature of crime and conflict. Criminal networks increasingly exploit technology to commit cybercrime, facilitate human trafficking, finance terrorism, spread disinformation, and conduct transnational criminal activities. To maintain effective policing, organizations must embrace innovation, while upholding the principles of democratic policy. Technology is no longer a support function. It is a strategic capability. Artificial intelligence, digital forensics, biometric systems, and secure digital communications are transforming modern policing. These technologies improve crime prevention, investigations, border security, operational decision-making, and the protection of civilians in United Nations peacekeeping operations. However, technological advancement must always be guided by strong legal safeguards, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. Innovation should strengthen justice and public trust and protect human dignity. For developing countries such as Malawi, innovation presents both opportunities and challenges. The Malawi Police Service has made progress in strengthening digital record management, communication systems, cybercrime investigations, and intelligence-led policing. Nevertheless, resource constraints, aging infrastructure, and limited access to advanced technologies continue to affect our preparedness for increasingly technology-driven peace operations. To address these challenges, Malawi proposes four priorities. Firstly, the United Nations should establish a police innovation and technology Support Program to assist police-contributing countries in acquiring appropriate technologies and strengthening digital capabilities and promoting technology transfer. Secondly, specialized pre-deployment training should be expanded to equip officers with practical skills in artificial intelligence, cybercrime investigations, digital forensics, drone operations, geospatial intelligence, and data analytics. Thirdly, we support the creation of a global digital knowledge sharing platform that enables member states to exchange best practices, research, operational lessons, and technological innovation. Lastly, innovation must be inclusive. The digital divide must not become a policing divide. All police-contributing countries should have equitable access to modern technologies, training opportunities, and technical support to enhance the effectiveness of United Nations peace operations. Let me at this point state that the Malawi Police Service remains committed to working with United Nations and all member states to advance responsible, ethical, and inclusive technological innovation for more effective peacekeeping and policing worldwide. I thank you for your kind attention.
Thank you so much, Inspector General of Police Malawi. I now wish to call upon the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria. The floor is yours, sir.
Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates and colleagues, it's a great honor to address the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit. I commend the UN Police for convening this vital forum to shape the future of global policing. As Inspector General of Police of the Nigerian Police Force, serving a population of over 230 million people, I bring the perspective of a service navigating the rapid digital transformation of law enforcement. For us, innovation is no longer a choice, it is an operational necessity. Criminal networks now exploit artificial intelligence, encrypted communication, and cyber-enabled fraud to operate across borders with high sophistication. This challenges traditional policing models and forces us to rethink how we protect the vulnerable communities. Fortunately, the same technologies that empower criminals also present extraordinary opportunities for law enforcement. Artificial intelligence, digital forensics, and geospatial intelligence are transforming how we anticipate threats and conduct investigations. Yet, as we embrace these advancements, we must never lose sight of a timeless truth: technology can enhance policing, but it can never replace public trust. The legitimacy of every police institution rests on the confidence the people it serves. Innovation must therefore strengthen transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. Technology should complement human judgment, not replace it. It must always remain anchored in the rule of law and the protection of human dignity. To achieve this, The benefit of innovation must not remain the exclusive preserve of technologically advanced nations. The future of UN policing must be founded upon genuine international cooperation, capacity building, and equitable access to digital compatibility for all member states. Ladies and gentlemen, technology may transform policing, But trust will always define it. Together, through responsible innovation and visionary leadership, we can build policing institutions that are not only smarter but more trusted, more inclusive, and better equipped to secure a peaceful world. Thank you so much for your kind attention.
Thank you so much for your remarks, sir. I now call upon the Deputy Chief of the National Police Administration of the Philippines. The floor is yours.
Thank you, Chair. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, I thank the panelists for their insightful presentations. The Philippines acknowledges the increasingly transformative role of emerging technologies in UN policing and peacekeeping. As we incorporate AI and other new technologies into our work, we must ensure they align with our shared objective of ensuring that operational efficiency is balanced with transparency and accountability. To achieve this objective, it is critical that we keep in mind the following: First, new technologies must be anchored in the principles of human rights. The rule of law, and civilian protection, with the safety and security for vulnerable groups in mind. Second, governance must incorporate human-in-the-loop decision-making and gender-responsive training, guided by shared standards across missions. Third, deployment must be accompanied by published guidelines and independent audits. The Philippines believes that the UN Policing Mission Framework should remain committed to lawful, rights-based, people-centered AI and innovative technologies that enhance safety, civilian protection, and the rule of law. We must leverage and upscale ongoing international collaboration, co-creation of inclusive governance models, and shared standards to advance responsible innovation and sustain public trust. We encourage the UN Police Division and the Interagency Task Force on Policing to translate this into practice and ensure that new technologies are positive reinforcements to our collective goal of a more peaceful and secure world. The Philippines is committed to working with the global community towards this end. I thank you.
Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. I wish to call upon the Deputy Police Commissioner, Solomon Islands. The floor is yours, please.
Excellencies, ministers. Mr. Head of Police, distinguished colleagues, I, on behalf— I am honored to contribute to these important discussions on behalf of my delegation. On the outset, I would like to acknowledge UN Police and Australia for hosting this program, this seminar. As we gather at the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit, it is clear that innovation and technology are essential enablers to make UN peace— UN policing and policing in general more effective and responsive. In today's complex peacekeeping environments, technology can significantly enhance operational effectiveness. And timely responses. With artificial intelligence, digital technology, and the use of predictive tools, this can be strengthened— situational awareness— support evidence-based decision-making, and improve early warning and threat assessment. Innovation can— tremendous potential to strengthen the protection of civilians. Technologies such as unarmed aerial systems, satellite imagery, and digital mapping can improve surveillance, planning, extend policing reach into remote areas, and support preventative action. Equally important to the role of the technology in building the capacity of host state police services. This can positively contribute to sustainability of good practices and legacy beyond the life of a peacekeeping mission. These are critical elements for policing. Drawing from my own experience with the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands and the current contributing police force to the UN peacekeeping. However, innovation must always be guided by responsibility. New technologies should be deployed in ways to uphold international law, respect human rights, and thus not undermine the trust of the communities we serve. Technology should augment, not replace, the professionalism, judgment, and human engagement that remain at the heart of effective policing. We acknowledge and support the advancement of the UN Police on this front, particularly initiatives such as Strategy for Digital Transformation of UN peacekeeping and UN peacekeeping technology. In closing, we recognize that investing in responsible innovation and strengthening partnership across to equip UN police with capabilities indeed to meet today's challenges and anticipate tomorrow's. I thank you.
We thank the Deputy Police Commissioner Solomon Islands. Thank you, sir. I now call upon the Deputy Commander General of National Gendarmerie, Türkiye. The floor is yours, sir.
Miss Chair, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, allow me to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the United Nations Police Division for organizing this event. Distinguished participants, today technology serves as an enabling and facilitating element that supports United Nations entities operating in the complex and challenging environments in which peacekeeping operations are conducted. The increasing use of unmanned aerial systems Remote sensing capabilities, digital platforms, advanced data analytics, and artificial intelligence applications is reshaping the operational environment in which United Nations personnel serve. In this context, we appreciate the advantages that new technologies can provide in terms of enhancing situational awareness, strengthening early warning capacity, supporting force protection, contributing to the protection of civilians, and enabling the more effective implementation of mandates entrusted by the Security Council. At the same time, the use of technology should not be regarded as an end in itself. Rather, it should be considered as a tool that supports the objectives of peacekeeping operations and helps personnel carry out their duties more effectively. Human judgment, engagement with local communities, and physical presence on the ground remain indispensable components for the successful conduct of peacekeeping activities. We are also aware of the contributions that technology can make in supporting the operational effectiveness of United Nations personal. In this regard, we consider it important that such applications be deployed across all United Nations mission areas in a secure, accessible, user-friendly, and functional manner. We also believe that the protection of personal data, privacy, ethical principles, and cultural sensitivities must be carefully observed in the use of these tools. Finally, it would like to emphasize that the use of technology must be supported by adequate resource, sustainable support mechanism, and training activities. Technology can serve as an important force multiplier. However, it cannot replace the essential role undertaken by peacekeeping personnel serving in the field. Distinguished participants, as I conclude my speech, I would like to reiterate that the responsible and balanced use of new technologies in United Nations peacekeeping operations, in line with the purposes of peacekeeping activities, is of critical importance for the successful fulfillment of missions.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Distinguished representative of Türkiye, for your insightful remarks. Excellencies, I wish to call upon the Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau, United Arab Emirates. The floor is yours, Excellency.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is a distinct honor on behalf of the delegation of the UAE Ministry of Interior to share with you today the visionary and forward-looking perspective of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. May God protect and preserve him. This ambitious vision is being brought to life through the concerted efforts of all state institutions in close partnership with the private sector and civil society. In keeping with our nation's approach, we have translated this vision into a carefully planned national strategy that places advanced technology at the core of government operations. This strategy, this strategy is designed to safeguard our society and indeed societies around the world while strengthening our global partnerships, a commitment affirmed by independent international indicators. At the UAE Ministry of Interior, we are advancing transformative and proactive projects and initiatives aimed at monitoring threats, identifying perpetrators and protecting victims amid the growing exploitation of cross-border digital technologies by criminal networks. By leveraging modern technological tools, the UAE continues to support UN police efforts to enhance the operational readiness of peacekeeping forces. Our offices also participate in field visits to UN missions in conflict zones, gaining firsthand insight into operational challenges and identifying opportunities to develop practical, innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of these missions. These that deepen our understanding of the realities and cultures of local communities, thereby bolstering the capacity of peacekeeping forces to build trust between police units and communities they serve, an essential step towards consolidating security and stability. They also help identify operational needs that can be addressed through modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to empower local police forces in post-conflict settings. In closing, we reaffirm our firm belief that peace is achieved through concerted efforts, particularly between the UN Police, and supporting member states. This is through the use of modern technology, artificial intelligence, sharing national expertise, strengthening global partnership, and advancing pioneering initiatives that support post-conflict nations in building a safer and more sustainable future. Together, we can ensure that emerging technologies remain a strong bulwark for justice, peace, and human security for generations to come.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank the distinguished representative of the UAE for her statement. This statement concludes our session on innovation and new technologies in United Nations policing. On behalf of United Nations Police, please allow me to once again thank the police advisor, our dear panelists, and member state representatives for their insightful interventions, which have helped us better understand the interlinkages between emerging technologies peace and security, and the fundamental importance of the rule of law and multilateral cooperation and dialogue. This session is now adjourned. Following will be session 3. I thank you so much.
Do you want me to coordinate this? Do you need to have a monitor right now? Right now I need to see where she's going. With great appreciation to the Panel Number 3, allow me, Excellencies, now to call on Panel Number 3 moderators, Li Fang, our Municipal Police Commissioner to call on her panel. Thank you.
Wait a few minutes?
Oh no, she just arrived, so maybe just one.
Yeah, just one minute. Okay, cuz we gave them the time 3:45 to start.
Okay, okay.
So should I say it or we just wait?
Wait a little bit.
Okay, keep them on hold. Okay, otherwise if you let them, they will leave, they will go for a coffee. That's the problem.
Okay, we just wait.
Don't say anything. She's here. She's here.
Okay.
Now she knows.
So you know, can I—
Togo, right? Togo, yeah.
Good to go.
Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Li Fang, the Police Commissioner in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic. I'm very pleased to join you in this session 3, which focuses on enhancing international cooperation to address transnational challenges. Now I would like to call on Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, to take her seat at the podium. Now I would like to call on His Excellency Mr. Makki Nabi, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control of Pakistan.
To the podium.
Now I would like to welcome Now I would like to call on Commissioner General Felix, Inspector General of Police of Rwanda, to the podium. Now I would like to welcome Under-Secretary-General Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo to deliver her statement. Excellency, you have the floor.
Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished chiefs of police, and ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation to the women and men of United Nations Police, who work under demanding circumstances to support peace, security, and the rule of law around the world. Their contribution is crucial. For many decades, they have helped strengthen national law enforcement institutions, support rule of law reforms, protect vulnerable populations, and build trust between communities and the state. This has contributed to ensuring institutional resilience and preventing violence from escalating. In environments as complex as Haiti, Libya, and Somalia, UN Police are supporting the work of our political missions by helping advance respect for human rights and national justice justice, police and corrections systems, and by advancing governments on transitional justice and reconciliation issues. Today, UN Police, like our political missions, are operating in an increasingly complex and volatile security environment. Deteriorating global peace and security has affected all facets of our work. Violence is on the upsurge. Conflicts are becoming more fragmented and regionalized, making peacemaking an increasingly challenging task. Peace agreements are elusive. In most cases, conflict parties can only agree on partial solutions such as ceasefires. Across many regions, conflict is also becoming deeply intertwined with transnational crime and illicit economies. Criminal networks fuel insecurity, finance armed groups, erode trust in state institutions, and undermine political processes. Drug trafficking provides resources to those who profit from conflict. Environmental crime and illegal exploitation of natural resources deprive states of much-needed revenue and become embedded in the political economy of conflict. In Haiti, the illicit flow of arms and ammunition has continued to fuel gang expansion and criminal activities, contributing to further instability and violence, including against civilians. Supporting the strengthening of the implementation of the arms embargo, the combating of trafficking, and the tightening of weapons controls must remain a top priority. Across the Sahel, terrorism, organized crime, and local conflicts are increasingly intertwined. Armed groups exploit porous borders, weak institutions,— in illicit trafficking in weapons, drugs, natural resources, and people to finance violence, creating cross-border threats that no state can address alone. In Southeast Asia, transnational organized crime is rapidly evolving through the use of digital technologies. Criminal networks are leveraging cyberspace to expand to ban fraud, money laundering, and trafficking operations across borders, demonstrating how technology is accelerating the scale, reach, and sophistication of organized crime. While these contexts differ, they share a fundamental reality: transnational threats are adaptive, interconnected, and faster than our traditional response mechanisms. To counter these trends, we must engage earlier. Too often, responses are triggered only once criminal economies are entrenched, institutions have been hollowed out, and violence has already escalated. We must shift this logic. Prevention must drive our collective response. Effective policing can be an important component of prevention. By helping member states build responsive and accountable police services that protect communities, uphold the rule of law, and earn public trust, policing addresses the conditions that fuel instability and violence. It's not only about disrupting criminal networks. It is about creating the conditions in which political dialogue can succeed and sustainable peace can take root. To make the role of policing in conflict-affected countries reach its full potential, I see three priorities. First, we need to invest in peacemaking. Political solutions remain essential to resolve the underlying drivers of conflict. We know that stopgap measures, as important as they may be, are often not sustainable. To make peace take root, there is no alternative to bringing the parties to the negotiating table to make compromises and chart a common path. When peacemaking succeeds, political transitions are more likely to be effective and nationally owned, capable of delivering legitimate institutions. Second, we must draw on the full range of capacities already available in the UN system and beyond. Criminal networks thrive in the gaps between institutions, mandates, and borders. Closing those gaps will require that we work in innovative ways, both within the UN system— and with our partners in order to ensure better analysis of criminal economies, trafficking routes, illicit financial flows, corruption risks, and the links between organized crime and armed actors. To that end, we've taken an array of actions, from joint programming to enhanced coordination to improve our ability to deliver as one. In Afghanistan, for example, our Special Political Mission, UNAMA, has worked closely with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime on countering illicit narcotic flows. Through its good offices, UNAMA helps create the political space for dialogue and cooperation, complementing UNODC's technical expertise. In Haiti, where UN Police have long played an important role in supporting national law enforcement institutions, our mission, BINU, now provides technical assistance and advisory support to national authorities, including on corrections and detention. The mission also plays a coordination role among national counterparts and international partners, including the Gang Suppression Force, the UN Support Office, bilateral donors, and regional organizations to ensure coherence across the security, political, and stabilization efforts. And at the global level, we're working together to provide better guidance to the field. The UN Global Task Force on Corruption is a case in point. Through regular engagements across its various partners, it recently produced a guide on addressing corruption in conflict-affected settings, reinforcing a shared understanding of corruption as a political and security issue central to sustaining peace. And third, we must remain firmly grounded in United Nations principles and values. Our efforts to counter transnational organized crime must never undermine the values we seek to defend. International policing cooperation must be grounded in respect for sovereignty, national ownership, and consent of the host state. It must also be grounded in human rights. Communities will not engage with institutions institutions they fear. Victims of trafficking will not seek protection from services they do not trust. Colleagues, these actionable priorities reflect our ambition to build a United Nations that is more integrated, more agile, and better equipped to address today's interconnected challenges. Strengthening cooperation across the the peace and security, development, and human rights pillars, and making prevention our guiding principle is essential if the organization is to remain fit for purpose. Cooperation is not optional. It is the only way to meet threats that are by definition transnational. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam USG. Now I would like to invite His Excellency Mr. Naqi to deliver his statement. Sir, you have the floor.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Excellencies, distinguished ministers, chief of police, ladies and gentlemen, assalamu alaikum. It's a great honor to welcome you all to this important session. Today, the world faces common security challenges, challenges that do not stop at national borders. Terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime, drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering—these threats affect all of us. No country is safe from them, and no country can deal with them alone. That is why international cooperation is more important today than ever before. We must work together. We must trust each other. We must share information quickly. We must support one another. And we must build stronger partnership between our law enforcement agencies. Technology is changing very fast. Criminals are using new technology to commit crimes, so we must also use modern technology to prevent them. We must improve the skills of our police officers. We must strengthen training, and we must make greater use of innovations. This session brings together experienced leaders For every part of the world, each of you brings valuable knowledge and practical experience. Let us share ideas that have worked. Let us learn from each other's successes, and let us find new ways to work together. The United Nations provides us a unique platform for that. Thanks to you and Paul, especially Mr. Faisal Shakar, advisor. Because of them, we also get the opportunity to meet our counterparts and friends. It brings us together with one common purpose: to make our countries safer, to protect our people, and to strengthen peace and security around the world. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Excellency. Now I would like to invite Commissioner-General Felix to deliver his statement. Sir, you have the floor.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is indeed an honor for me to be part of this panel discussion. On important matter as enhancing international cooperation to address transnational challenges. UN Police play a pivotal role in supporting law enforcement institutions in countries affected by internal conflicts through protecting civilians, strengthening the rule of law, and building capable national institutions. It is believed that the best way to protect civilians is to invest more in conflict prevention and early intervention strategies. Therefore, Peacekeeping policing must not only address the symptoms of insecurities and violence, but should focus on their causes. At the same time, today's UN deployments operate in increasingly complex environments where insecurities extend beyond traditional conflicts and, in some cases, driven by transnational and organized criminal networks. This evolving nature of security landscape requires the intervention of UN Police in supporting host nations' law enforcement institutions to not only maintain public order and combat traditional crimes, but also address emerging organized and transnational crimes. The cross-border nature of these emerging crimes makes it very difficult, most of the time impossible, for any country to single-handedly respond and deal with them effectively. This therefore requires that we strengthen operational cooperation through systematic information sharing, coordinated joint operations, and enhanced interoperability among national, regional, and United Nations policing actors. Reinforcement of strategic partnership between UN police, regional organizations, and national law enforcement agencies to better align peace operations with global crime prevention and criminal justice frameworks is not only a requirement, it is also an important determining factor in responding to the changing nature of security and crime. We should also enhance policing capacities and leverage new technologies while ensuring that international police cooperation remains firmly anchored in national ownership, accountability, and rule of law. Given that conflicts and related insecurities and crime mainly affect women and children, the involvement of female police officers in peacekeeping missions missions should not be underestimated. Their active and meaningful participation will need to be scaled, including in leadership and decision-making positions, to shape operational effectiveness and missions' successes. Their leadership strengthens strengthens trust between security institutions and the communities they serve, and it contributes to more sustainable peace outcomes. In the context of enhancing cooperation, Rwanda has been supporting capacity development of local police in missions where we deploy, and they reaffirm Rwanda's continued readiness to supporting UN police's capacity building programs in different areas, such as training on sexual and gender-based violence, pre-deployment training of FPU commanders and individual police officers, as well as hosting heads of police, UN Police Component Intermissional Retreats, and FPU coordinators' workshops. We call upon UN Police to conduct an assessment and identify strengths in different countries and propose them as centers of excellence for collective use by member countries. In joint training formats. These joint programs will enrich participants' capacities in understanding and addressing challenges faced in mission areas and promoting UN best practices. Let me conclude by reiterating that Rwanda remains fully committed to working with other Member States and partners to advancing these priorities and to strengthening collective responses to transnational security challenges in support of sustainable peace and security. I thank you very much.
Thank you, Commissioner General. Now we will begin intervention from member states in order of seniority and then alphabetical order. I would kindly remind our distinguished representative to keep your statements within the 2-minute limit. After 2 minutes, your microphone will begin to blink. Now we will begin by calling on the distinguished representative of Algeria, the Minister of the Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport, to deliver their statement. Excellency, you have the floor.
Your Excellencies, my colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. In the beginning, I would like to express how pleased we are to take part in the 5th Summit of the United Nations Chiefs of Police, which would be a strong element for the support of the UN activity in this area, which is a main pillar towards achieving the goals of peace and security in the world. I would also like to thank peacekeeping operations and the police departments for their commitment in implementing the UN strategy to resolve international conflicts and develop the capacity of police departments. This meeting comes at a time when the world is facing complex Security challenges due to the increase in the intensity of conflicts and the increase in organized crime and its interlinkage to terrorism— these are a continued threat to the comprehensive concept of security. This particular session— Session 3, entitled Enhancing International Cooperation to Address Transnational Challenges— leads us to take additional steps to improve coordination between the police departments across the world and to support— and to encourage the U.N. to support our capacity to provide protection for individuals and property and public order. This requires us all to engage in these issues to promote international effort towards the goals through enhancing operational capacity, and providing support to national police effort and supporting cooperation between the UN and Interpol and other regional UN entities, as is the case for the AU mechanism, AfriPol. We need to exchange criminal information, exchange experience, and police expertise and cooperation needs to include money laundering and tracing assets and recovery of assets. We need to develop common training platforms between the U.N. and police departments, and this would be at the regional level and international level. Here, Algeria is making tremendous effort to promote the capacity of African police through a number of training programs that are quite advanced that we organized in the past years that includes combating the different kinds of organized crime, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, and crisis management. Here, I would like to point to the valuable initiative of the United Nations on the virtual training in May of this year for law enforcement entities in my country, Algeria, for gendarmerie. And this has contributed to adding other activities. And we have the TOT training for police in the member states and the process of selection and evaluation by U.N. experts in the last quarter of this year. This excellent partnership is part of the continued effort by Algeria to enhance our commitment and stress that in the line of— in the area of building capacity, and this would be in line with the strategic guidance and the criteria of UN Police. In closing, I would like to thank the organizers of this summit. We remain committed to fruitful exchange of experience, and we wish this summit every success.
And I think We kindly remind our distinguished guests for this 2-minute limit. Thank you for your attention on this matter. Now, we will call on the distinguished representative from Cambodia, the Secretary of State and the Minister of Interior to deliver their statements. Excellency, you have the floor.
Excellencies, distinguished guests, delegates, on behalf of the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I am honored to participate in the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit. We commend the Secretary-General and the UN Police Division for advancing the Secretary-General's vision of a transformed UN Police that is people-centered, modern, agile, mobile and flexible, specialized, rights-based, and norm-driven. This vision is increasingly important as the international community confronts conflict and transnational security challenges. International cooperation is indispensable to addressing transnational organized crime, trafficking networks, cyber-enabled criminalities, and the destabilizing effects of climate-related shocks. These challenges transcend borders and require coordinated response grounded in trust, information sharing, and respect for international norms. We support the submits objective of building a common vision and concrete commitment to equip UN Police to contribute effectively to the pact for the future and to AP4, AP4P+, strengthening interoperability, real-time information exchange, and harmonized legal frameworks are essential to ensuring that the police institution can respond to evolving threats with professionalism and integrity. We also recognize the growing importance of police expertise in peace operations, particularly in supporting rule of law. Institutions and protecting civilians, Cambodia remains open to exploring cooperation in training, capability development, and other areas that may support UN requirements in the future. In closing, Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and to working closely with all member states. The UN Police Division An international partner enhanced international cooperation grounded in sharing responsibility and mutual support, which is essential to building a safer and more resilient global community. Thank you.
Excellency, now we will call on the distinguished representative from Gabon, the Minister of the Interior, Security, and Decentralization, to deliver their statements. Excellency, you have the floor.
Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor for the Republic of Gabon to take the floor at this 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit, particularly for this session 3, which invites us to examine the international response to the growing interaction between conflict insecurity and transnational threats. Ladies and gentlemen, for several decades now, Gabon has maintained fruitful relations with multilateral security institutions, whether in combating environmental crime, combat— contributing to peacekeeping on the African continent where our country has been very active, or enhancing security in the Gulf of Guinea. In recent years, a number of acts of maritime piracy have occurred off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. To prevent and combat the scourge, the national police, working in close cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, have made significant efforts to secure our maritime coastline. Under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the government has placed security modernization at the heart of the National Growth and Development Plan, in the belief that no state can confront these threats alone. To this end, Gabon considers joint data collection and real-time intelligence sharing to be the foundation of any effective response to transnational threats. In this regard, our country's efforts focused primarily on training, an indispensable condition for making a high-quality contribution to peace operations, have included the following. Firstly, strengthening the initial and continuous training curricula of our police academies, which now incorporate international standards on the protection of vulnerable populations, combating gender-based violence, and respect for human rights, developing bilateral and multilateral training partnerships enabling our instructors to enhance their expertise at recognized centers of excellence and subsequently pass these skills on throughout our institution. Ladies and gentlemen, in the current context marked by globalization and increasing complexity of organized crime, collective action, and international police cooperation are undeniably the only effective way of combating cross-border and transnational security threats. In this regard, Gabon has undertaken several initiatives, including joining the Central African Chiefs of Police Committee in April 1997, signing the Agreement on Criminal Police Cooperation Among States of Central Africa, completing the CEMAC Interpol project to enhance border security within the CEMAC region through the interconnection of Interpol's secure I-24/7 communication system. At the international level, on the 20th of April this year in Libreville, the government of Gabon signed a strategic agreement with the UNODC, the World Customs Organization, and Interpol formalizing the deployment of the Container and Passenger Control Programme in Gabon. All of these initiatives demonstrate Gabon's deep commitment to the ideals of the United Nations. Regarding the future vision of UN policing, Gabon advocates an agile, specialized model of police support that is genuinely rooted in national ownership. We firmly believe that the future of UNPOL lies in stronger partnerships with national institutions, capable of transforming each deployment into lasting institutional capacity, both for host countries and police-contributing countries. As the UN undertakes a strategic reflection on the future of its police activities, Gabon reaffirms its readiness to contribute alongside the international community to the emergence of a renewed, innovative and inclusive vision of global security. Gabon therefore hopes that the conclusions of this summit will lead to well-calibrated operational cooperation, enhanced capacity to intercept trafficking in narcotics, weapons, and precious timber while never impeding the smooth flow of legitimate trade.
Thank you. Thank you, Excellency. Now we call on the distinguished representative from Ireland, the Minister of Justice, to deliver their statements. Excellency, you have the floor. Thank you.
Distinguished delegates, I'm honored to be here today to address you on behalf of the Government of Ireland. We live in a world where organized crime and the use of digital tools to conceal illicit proceeds presents complex challenges that no country can address alone. The threat from transnational organized crime is growing, and this underlines the importance of cooperation in law enforcement and criminal law to ensure that criminals cannot evade justice. In Ireland, as a small island nation on the western edge of Europe, we are all too aware that geography offers no protection from the reach of organized crime. An Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police and security service, whose commissioner joins me here today, works closely with Europol, Interpol, and bilateral partners worldwide. A decade ago, Dublin was experiencing a wave of organized crime incidents that shocked communities and received international attention. The criminal networks that terrorized these communities were not simply an Irish problem. Their leaders fled to Spain, to the Netherlands, to the United Arab Emirates. They'd laundered money throughout jurisdictions on multiple continents. The feud between rival organized crime groups cost 18 lives. In 2022, cooperation between international agencies including law enforcement in the United States, came together to announce major sanctions against significant organized crime groups. In a separate but connected development, we've recently seen the arrest of a high-profile individual in the UAE, which is the fruit of longstanding international cooperation. I express my gratitude and the gratitude of the Government of Ireland to both the United States and the United Arab Emirates for their excellent cooperation in this area. Part of the outcome of this cooperation is that there was no gangland gun murders in Ireland in 2025. While there are still many challenges to overcome, we've seen the results of An Garda Síochána's relentless pursuit of these organized criminals. Ireland has also assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union. It's a responsibility we take very seriously. Tackling transnational and organized crime will be amongst our main priorities. Ireland greatly values the role of the United Nations in strengthening international policing standards. An Garda Síochána have proudly deployed police officers to the UN and UN-supported missions since 1989. No jurisdiction can succeed in isolation, and Ireland will continue to prioritize enhanced cooperation with international partners in tackling drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Excellency. Now we call on the distinguished representative from Montenegro, the Minister of Interior, to deliver their statement. Excellency, you have the floor.
Thank you. Today's summit is a significant step in ongoing process in setting clear priorities for enhancing international police cooperation in peace and security context. Montenegro is an an integral part of that. Recognizing the importance of international police cooperation is one of the key instruments of effectively addressing the challenges posed by organized criminal groups, particularly in areas affected by conflict, natural disasters, or institutional vulnerabilities, and aware that criminal networks exploit such circumstances to engage in human trafficking— the smuggling of goods and the illicit weapon trafficking, I would like to underline the importance of timely exchange of operational information, joint investigations, and the coordinated actions of law enforcement authorities across the world. In that context, ANPOL has a unique role in maintaining peace and stability through incident prevention, mediation and trust-building. Montenegrin police officers had the chance to witness this for years through their participation in UN peacekeeping operations. It improved their skills in crisis management and in dealing with complex security environments, human rights protection, and building trust between institutions and local communities. This is why Montenegro will always be actively contributing to international efforts to uphold the rule of law. Partnerships are valuable resource for further strengthening of institutional capacities and developing effective cooperation mechanisms to respond to today's complex transnational threats. We welcome the important work of the Interagency Task Force on Policing in strengthening strategic coordination across the UN system while promoting the rule of law and fostering international cooperation to address evolving security challenges, including organized crime, cybercrime, climate change, and the protection of vulnerable communities. Guided by the vision set out in Secretary-General's Common Agenda, Montenegro remains committed to fostering multilateralism and accountable law enforcement institutions grounded in the rule of law. As 2026 marks another essential milestone for UN policing in its affirmation of the importance of inclusive and networked multilateralism in addressing the most complex global challenges, I assure you Montenegro will continue contributing to this important platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of good practices in policing and public security. I thank you.
Thank you, Excellency. Now we call on the distinguished representative from Russia Federation, the Minister of the Interior, to deliver their statement. Excellency, you have the floor.
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, today, amid the expanding geography of regional conflicts, a security vacuum is emerging and it is being filled by criminal elements. This has led to rising violence, the spread of terrorism, the flourishing of organized crime, and increased trafficking in drugs, weapons, and human beings. These challenges and threats are becoming increasingly technology-driven and aggressive, creating favorable conditions for global instability. Against this backdrop, there is a growing need to enhance interstate cooperation, both through multilateral fora as well as bilateral challenges— channels in order to consolidate joint efforts in combating transnational crime. Russia remains a longstanding and responsible contributor to efforts aimed at maintaining international security and consistently supports the central role of the United Nations. In this regard, we view UN peacekeeping operations as an important tool for strengthening the international rule of law. The pragmatic and effective work of the Blue Helmets plays a significant role in protecting civilians and supporting the capacities of national authorities. To successfully accomplish their mandates, it is essential to establish constructive relations with host countries and to take— to respect their sovereignties and respect the fundamental principles of peacekeeping. As a police-contributing country, Russia seeks to increase its contribution to UN peacekeeping activities. Since 1992, our personnel have participated in UN peacekeeping operations. Peacekeepers must uphold the highest standards of conduct and act professionally and with discipline in all situations. This requires specialized training. Since the year 2000, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation has conducted specialized training courses through which more than 2,700 highly qualified Russian and foreign candidates have been prepared for participation in UN missions. We intend to continue expanding this work. By strengthening trust and combining our efforts, we can effectively counter transnational threats and enhance security throughout the world. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Your Excellency. Now we call on the distinguished representative from Sri Lanka, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, to deliver their statement. Excellency, you have the floor.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the threat— the threats to peace have become more diverse and complex than ever before. Violent conflicts have been on the rise during the last two decades. Protection of civilians has become a critical concern in many conflict-ridden areas, with the humanitarian landscape becoming increasingly hostile with non-traditional threats. New advanced technologies have opened new domains of security concerns, such as cybercrime, cybersecurity, and autonomous weapon systems, together with misuse of ICT for criminal purposes and the recruitment of mercenaries. Be that as it may, permit me the honor of commending the United Nations Peace Operations for their effective efforts in addressing the evolving challenges in conflict With that task, it may permit me the honor of commending the United Nations Peace Operations for their effective efforts in addressing the evolving challenges and conflict threats. In this backdrop, Sri Lanka welcomes and appreciates the substance and visions of the Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace. My delegation recalls with pride that Sri Lanka has been a committed contributor to UN peacekeeping since the deployment of military observers following the Suez Crisis in 1956. More than 21,000 Sri Lankan Peacekeepers have played an important role in many peacekeeping operations to date. I am confident that the Sri Lanka Armed Forces Police Unit, which is at Readiness Level 3 standard, by— with the capacity to handle the emerging security landscape. Organized crime, gang violence, and illicit economics are rapidly increasing and pose a growing challenge to international peace and security. It is therefore imperative that the United Nations consider deploying specialized police team with the experience and skills to address these threats. Sri Lanka stands ready to contribute police personnel, gendarmerie units, and criminal justice experts with experience and skills to counter such threats and to share the knowledge and experience with the host countries and partner nations. Sri Lanka remains committed to supporting United Nations peace operations and stands ready to partner with the with the international community in advancing sustainable peace and security. Thank you.
Thank you, Excellency. Now we will call on the distinguished representative from Zimbabwe, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, to deliver their statement. Excellency, you have the floor.
Thank you. My delegation is honored to contribute to this discussion on strengthening international cooperation, a principle that remains essential in addressing the complex security challenges we are facing. The United Nations Police demonstrates the strength of international cooperation Through peace operations, officers from across the world serve side by side in pursuit of a common objective: the maintenance of international peace and security. Zimbabwe is proud to be part of these efforts. Since 1991, Zimbabwe has been deploying police officers to United Nations peace operations across Africa, Asia, and Europe. These contributions reflect Zimbabwe's enduring commitment to multilateralism, peacebuilding, and international solidarity. In carrying out these deployments, Zimbabwe remains equally committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. We recognize the vital role of women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the protection of vulnerable communities, and we continue to support their meaningful participation in peace operations. The challenges before us are significant. Armed conflicts and transnational crime continue to undermine peace and development. These realities remind us that international cooperation is indispensable. Lasting peace requires collective action, mutual trust, and shared commitment to addressing both immediate threats and their root causes. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Zimbabwe was recently elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. For the term 2027 to 2028, and I want to thank you profusely on behalf of my country for your support. During our tenure on this council— on the council, Zimbabwe will continue to champion dialogue, partnership, and collective solutions to global peace and security challenges. We believe that cooperation grounded in mutual respect and sovereign equality remains the most effective pathway to peace and stability. As UN COP26 deliberates on the future of international cooperation, Zimbabwe stands ready to play its part in advancing peace, security, and stability for all. I thank you.
Thank you, Excellency. Now we call on the distinguished representative from Chile, the Deputy Minister of Public Security, to deliver their statement. Excellency, you have the floor. Muchas gracias.
Thank you very much, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the delegation of Chile, I thank the United Nations for convening this 5th edition of UN COPS at a time when the security of our communities requires greater international cooperation, political will, and modern policing capabilities. For Chile, the premise is clear: transnational threats can only be addressed through coordinated responses between states. Organized crime operates beyond borders. It is fueled by opacity and impunity. It constantly adapts, and it challenges our institutions. Over the last 5 years, Chile has strengthened its public security architecture by modernizing its police and strengthening its institutional framework. Today we have more specialized, transparent, and evidence-based institutions. But we have also learned a fundamental lesson: no national effort, no matter how robust it may be, is sufficient on its own. Therefore, international cooperation must translate into concrete actions, timely exchange of information and intelligence, operational coordination, and the development of interoperable co— uh, capacities in the framework of the Palermo Convention and through channels such as Interpol and Ameripol. They are extremely important for police operations. Shared intelligence is today our first line of defense from threats that are incessantly evolving. Likewise, we must follow the money route. Organized, uh, criminal organizations can replace their members or shipments, but they cannot operate without resources. Depriving them of their illicit assets is one of the most effective ways of weakening them. In this collective effort, Chile recognizes the work of the United Nations Police and reaffirms its availability to continue contributing to peace operations with its very best women and men. We value the action on the ground and the experience collected by these missions coming back imbued with that experience, we strengthen our own countries. Our commitment to practical and sustained cooperation is firm. Only by acting together can we protect our communities, protect— defend the rule of law, and prevent organized crime from shaping the future of our democracies. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Your Excellency. Uh, now I will announce the leave of USG and welcome the police advisor to the podium. Now we would like to call on the Chief of Police of Angola to deliver their statement. Chief of Police, you have the floor.
Excellencies, It is for me a great honor to participate in the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit of the Member States and to address this session dedicated to strengthening international cooperation. On behalf of the Republic of Angola, I thank the United Nations for organizing this important platform for strategic dialogue with strengthens cooperation among police institutions and promotes collective responses to the challenges of international peace and security. In a context in which terrorism, trafficking in human beings, cybercrime, and transnational organized crime transcend borders, it is important to strengthen timely information sharing. Joint training, international legal cooperation, and the development of technological capacities, always in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, human rights, and the rule of law. Excellencies, Angola attaches particular importance to deepening cooperation between the National Police of Angola and the United Nations Police— namely through specialized training and the preparation for peace operations. In this context, we welcome the support provided for the development of Angola's National Pre-Deployment Center, which will strengthen national and African capacities for peacekeeping operations. Angola reaffirms its commitment to continuing to work with the United Nations, with all the member states, to build more effective, integrated, and resilient international police cooperation for the benefit of peace, security, and sustainable development.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, sir. Now we welcome the Chief of Police from Botswana to deliver their statement. Chief of Police, the floor is yours.
Thank you very much, Madam President, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacekeeping Affairs, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. It is both an honor and privilege to to address the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit on behalf of the government and the people of the Republic of Botswana. I commend the United Nations for convening this strategic dialogue at a time when transnational security threats are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. Botswana is a peaceful— land-linked country in Southern Africa with a population of approximately 2.5 million people, sharing borders with South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Our strategic location offers opportunities for regional integration while equally placing us at the front line of transnational organized crime. This reality reinforces one fundamental truth: truth. No country can effectively address today's security challenges alone. Excellencies, transnational organized crime, cyber-enabled crime, trafficking in persons, terrorism, environmental crime, illicit financial flows, and the proliferation of illicit arms transcend national borders. Consequently, international cooperation is no longer an option. It is an operational international obligation. Botswana has witnessed the value of such cooperation within Interpol, Afripol, and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs' Cooperation Organization platforms, where intelligence sharing, coordinated investigations, and joint operations continue to disrupt organized criminal networks. A notable example is Operation Basadi, a women-led multinational operation targeting— gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, and crimes against children. Equally, our longstanding bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries through coordinated border patrols, intelligence exchange, joint investigation, and community engagement has significantly strengthened our response to cross-border stock theft and illegal mining. Building on this successes, Botswana hosted 5 neighboring countries— Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe— in February 2026 to strengthen regional cooperation against transnational organized crime. Excellencies and distinguished chiefs of police, this effort and experience highlight 3 strategic priorities for enhancing police cooperation and effectiveness. One, strengthening 1, strengthening timely, secure, and actionable information sharing to support rapid operational responses; 2, investing in technology innovation and specialized policing capabilities to counter emerging threats, particularly cybercrime and technology-facilitated offenses; 3, ensuring that our collective efforts are firmly anchored on human rights, accountability, and gender policy, recognizing that public trust is fundamental to effective law enforcement. Botswana reaffirms its commitment to working with the United Nations regional organizations and international partners to build resilient policy institutions capable of responding to today's evolving security landscape. The threats we face are shared. Our responses must correspondingly be collective. UNCOP is indeed a catalyst that strengthens our partnerships and our shared resolve to safeguard peace, security, and justice for all. I thank you all for your attention. Thank you and good afternoon.
Thank you, Madam. Now we welcome the Chief of Police from Brazil to deliver their statement. Chief of Police, you have the floor.
Buenas tardes. Good afternoon, everyone. Crime does not respect borders, and no country can combat transnational crime alone. Brazil has made international integration a priority and believes that organized crime must be confronted through a balanced and comprehensive approach grounded in intelligence, strategy, and cooperation while respecting the rule of law, national sovereignty, and fundamental rights. Brazil's effective commitment to this multilateral system is reflected in a number of concrete measures and best practices that have recently been implemented. Among the most notable of them are the creation of the Amazon International Police Cooperation Center, active participation in Ameripol, increased presence and representation in Europol, and the historic election in 2024 of a Brazilian Federal Police Commissioner as Secretary General of Interpol, making him the first representative of the Global South to lead the organization in its history. In addition, Brazil, through its federal police, has expanded its global engagement through police attachés who are now stationed in 36 countries across 5 continents. Today, going beyond theory, Brazil is effectively putting international cooperation and the fight against transnational crime into practice. Those who truly seek greater security will find a strong ally in Brazil. I congratulate the United Nations for organizing this important event and for the work that it carries out, often in the most challenging contexts. We will continue to support these efforts at the global, regional, and local levels. You can count on Brazil. Thank you very much.
Thank you, sir. Now we welcome the Deputy Police Commissioner of Canada to deliver their statement. Commissioner, you have the floor.
Distinguished colleagues, we are meeting at a decisive turning point. Globally, instability and conflicts are accelerating the convergence of criminal threats and are testing our collective capacity to address them. The context in which we are living is no longer delimited by geographical borders and territories. It is dynamic, borderless, and constantly evolving. We're seeing overlap among organized crime, cybercrime, trafficking, and illicit arm flows, all amplified by mass online connectivity. Youth and vulnerable populations are being targeted, exploited, and recruited through digital platforms that transcend our borders. At the same time, criminal activity is rapidly evolving through artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. No country and no agency can meet this challenge alone. For policing, this demands a shift from isolated efforts to a truly integrated international cooperation. It means showing up consistently —working alongside partners to disrupt threats. Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is also central to this effort. Transnational threats often fuel instability and violence that disproportionately affect women and girls. By integrating gender perspectives into law enforcement, we strengthen our ability to respond in ways that are inclusive, effective and responsive, ultimately enhancing our collective impact. As Chiefs, we can go further. We can deepen integration across law enforcement, intelligence, and security partners. We must close the technical— technological gap by investing in modern, data-driven capabilities, and we need to strengthen capacity-building efforts to support resilient institutions. Finally, we must ensure our work remains grounded in the rule of law human rights, and respect for sovereignty. La réussite ne se mesurera pas— Success will not be measured by what a body accomplishes alone, but what we accomplish together. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Now we welcome the Commander General of the National Police from Ecuador to deliver their statement. Commander, you have the floor.
Buenas tardes. Good afternoon, Excellencies, Ministers, Heads of Police, colleagues all present here. A respectful greeting from Ecuador, this marvelous country located in the center of the world. Peace is the highest expression of cooperation among nations. International security reflects our ability to act together to preserve that peace. With that purpose in mind, this summit reaffirms the value of dialogue, trust, and coordinated action amongst the police institutions of the world. Criminal organizations continually strengthen their operational, technological, and financial capacities, creating challenges that transcend borders. This reality requires responses grounded in intelligence criminal investigations, innovation, and international cooperation. In Ecuador, within the framework of the security policy led by the President of the Republic and the Ministry of the Interior, the National Police works in close coordination with international organizations and the police services of friendly countries. This cooperation has strengthened investigations of international scope, allowed to locate and capture leaders of organized criminal groups and facilitated extradition processes in accordance with the legal frameworks of the states involved, thus contributing to weakening transnational criminal structures. The National Police of Ecuador remains firmly committed to continuing to promote international cooperation, expanding the exchange of experience, and contributing with professionalism, integrity, and commitment to serve common efforts that strengthen the security of our peoples and the rule of law. Cooperation multiplies capabilities, strengthens trust among nations, and transforms shared challenges into opportunities to build a safer future. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Commander. Now we welcome the Chief of Hellenic Chief of Police from Greece to deliver their statement. Chief, the floor is yours.
Hello, Chair.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues. It is a distinct honor to address the United Nations Chief of Police Summit today, and in particular this session on strengthening international cooperation. UN COPS constitutes a unique forum where dialogue on policing flourishes between the relevant United Nations policing structures and national police authorities. In an international environment marked by geopolitical instability, man-made and natural crises, rapid technological change, and constantly evolving threats, international police cooperation is not merely useful but an absolute necessary condition. Greece, situated at the crossroads of three continents and on the external borders of the European Union, experiences the consequences of this volatility directly. The Hellenic police is called upon to respond simultaneously to challenges relating to internal security, cross-border crime, border management, the protection of critical infrastructure within the framework of safeguarding fundamental rights. Organized crime has evolved into a modern multidimensional security threats. Criminal organizations operate across borders, make use of advanced technologies, misuse the opportunities offered by cyberspace and artificial intelligence, and engage in a wide range of criminal activities from drug, arms, and human trafficking to money laundering, cybercrime, and environmental crimes. At the same time, poverty, social inequalities, armed conflicts, the climate crisis and migratory pressures create new fields of exploitation for international criminal networks. The most vulnerable are often the first to be targeted. For this reason, our policing action must remain effective while being fully committed to the rule of law, the protection of human life and respect for human dignity. At national level, the Jelangka Police is substantially enhancing its operational and organizational capabilities with particular emphasis on combating organized crime. This is taking place by improving prevention and response to risk and threats and ensuring faster and more effective management of internal security crisis. However, as already has been stated, no national effort, no matter how strong, can succeed on its own against networks that operate beyond borders. We need more and better cooperation. We need timely and high-quality information exchange, joint analysis, targeting use of existing police cooperation channels, joining training initiatives,— where necessary, coordinated operational activities. Particular importance should be attached to targeting the financial infrastructure of criminal organizations in line with the 'follow the money' principle, considering that this is where the real power lies, as well as to dismantling their leadership. Technology must become a tool for law enforcement authorities— not an advantage for criminals. We must collectively invest in digital forensics, cybersecurity, and the development of modern, interoperable information exchange mechanisms, placing the protection of critical entities to the center of our efforts. At the same time, the responsible and reliable use of artificial intelligence technology can significantly strengthen data analysis, the timely identification of threats, and more effective support for operational decision-making, always in full respect with the rule of law, personal data protection, and human oversight. Above all, however, we must invest in trust among our authorities. Greece and the Hellenic Police remain fully committed to their active participation— in international and regional police cooperation mechanisms with the aim of protecting citizens, upholding the rule of law, and strengthening international peace and security. In closing, I would like to underline that behind every strategy, every operational plan, and every digital system stands the societies we serve, the victims we have a duty to protect, and the future generation we are responsible for safeguarding. Only through collective commitment, mutual trust, and unwavering international cooperation we can guarantee a safer future for all.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Chief. Once again, in the interest of all participants, please keep your statements within 2 minutes given time. Thank you for your attention again. Now we welcome the Director General of Police from Guinea-Bissau to deliver their statement. Director, you have the floor.
Monsieur le Président, Excellencies, distinguished heads of delegation, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor for me to take the floor on behalf of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau at this important session dedicated to strengthening international cooperation to address complex transnational challenges such as transnational organized crime and other emerging threats that transcend national borders and test the response capacities of states. Guinea-Bissau recognizes that transnational organized crime remains one of the principal challenges to international security, sustainable development, and the stability of democratic institutions. Increasingly sophisticated criminal networks exploit institutional vulnerabilities, use advanced technologies, and operate across national borders, requiring coordinated, integrated, and sustained responses. For developing countries with limited resources, such as Guinea-Bissau, effectively combating these threats requires strong international cooperation based on mutual trust, exchange, real-time information sharing, specialized technical assistance, and strengthening the institutional capacities of law enforcement agencies. In recent years, Guinea-Bissau has undertaken significant efforts to strengthen its operational and investigative capabilities with the support of several international partners. The modernization of forensic services, enhanced international police cooperation, specialized training for criminal investigators, and participation in regional information sharing mechanisms are concrete examples of this commitment. However, the growing complexity of transnational threats obliges us to go further We need faster and more effective cooperation systems, harmonized legal frameworks, secure information-changing platforms, and permanent mechanisms for operational coordination between states. In this context, Guinea-Bissau believes that the role of the United Nations and its specialized entities is essential in supporting member states. Assistance provided through— capacity building programs, technical cooperation, and institutional reform initiatives has contributed significantly to strengthening the resilience of national security and justice institutions. We also wish to emphasize the importance of greater integration among international, regional, and national organizations promoting a multidimensional approach that combines security, justice, development, and prevention. The fight against drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, environmental crimes, and other forms of organized crime require a collective response. No country can confront these global threats alone. That is why we call for strengthening operational cooperation mechanism, increased technical and financial support for the most vulnerable countries, as well as for promoting a culture of knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices among law enforcement agencies. President Guinea-Bissau reaffirms its commitment to the principles of international cooperation, the rule of law, and collective security. We're convinced that only strong partnerships and coordinated action will enable us to build safer, more just, and more resilient societies for future generations. I take this opportunity to express the gratitude of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations and all international partners who continue to support our efforts towards institutional modernization and the fight against transnational organized crime. Thank you very much for your kind attention.
Thank you, Director. Now we welcome the Commander General of the Carabineer Corps from Italy to deliver their statement. Commander, the floor is yours.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is a great honor to address this Assembly in this solemn occasion. Allow me first of all to express my sincere appreciation to the United Nations for the organization of this important event and for its constant commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law in a increasingly complex international environment. Today we face challenges that transcend borders: artificial intelligence, disinformation, climate-related instability, and increasing sophisticated and transnational organized crime. These threats cannot be addressed in isolation. They require cooperation, coordination, and mutual trust among institutions and nations. Italy strongly supports this vision, a mode of a modern agile, specialized, and people-centered United Nations Police capable of contributing effectively to peace operations and to broader objectives of the Action for Peacekeeping framework and the Pact for the Future. In this context, allow me to briefly recall the experience of the Carabinieri. For more than two centuries, The Carabinieri have represented a unique institutional model combining military structure with civilian policing function. This dual nature allows us to operate as a bridge between the military and the civilian dimension of security, and particularly in fragile and crisis environment where coordination among different access is crucial. This is also why international police cooperation must be based on shared standards, common values, and the people-centered approach. It is indeed essential to strengthen the rule of law, protect the environment and the cultural heritage, and to promote the protection and empowerment of men. In all this, areas, community-oriented and proximity policing, remain key to building trust and making security effective, legitimate, and inclusive. Across numerous international missions, this model has proven its value in supporting stability, institution building, and operational effectiveness. Italy and the Carabinieri remain deeply commitment to multilateralism and to the central role of the United Nations. In this framework, the Centre of Excellence for Stability Policy Unit in Vicenza continues to promote a common role, professional standards, and capability— capacity building in close cooperation with the United Nations and partners encounters. Allow me finally to express our deepest gratitude to all those who serve under the flag of the UN in difficult and dangerous environment. Thank you so much for your attention.
Thank you, Commander. Now we welcome the Director of Public Security Directorate, from Jordan to deliver their statement. Director, you have the floor.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, may the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. It's a pleasure for me to address to you today at this important international forum, the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit, which has today become a global platform for fostering a common vision, coordinating efforts, and shaping collective security responses in a world where threats are escalating and increasingly transcend geographical boundaries and national sovereignty. Jordan has always been a committed partner with regard to the principles of the Charter. We believe that peace and security are a collective responsibility through international cooperation, respect for international law, and enshrining the rule of law, as well as ensuring multilateral cooperation. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has upheld this commitment through peacekeeping as well as our international efforts to protect people, their dignity, and to promote the security of our societies. Our meeting is being held at a particularly delicate international juncture, which means that law enforcement agencies have increased responsibilities and make the international police cooperation the first line of defense to transnational organized crime, cybercrime, and the repercussions of crises and conflicts that affect the society— the security of societies as well as individuals. In addition to natural disasters, which affect the stability of communities and states. We must promote technical tools, training, as well as promoting international cooperation for information exchange and information for increasing responses to these challenges. That is why we believe that this summit is a strategic step allowing us to redefine the role of UN Police and strengthen its ability to respond to the ever-rapid changes by implementing a modern police system based on institutional complementarity, investing in technology, recourse to predictive analysis for information, AI, and the exchange of expertise in line with the highest norms of professional internationalism and operational preparation in accordance with international agreements so as to preserve the rule of law and human dignity. These are two important pillars to achieving peace and security. Experience has shown that security is not a local matter within in— national borders rather a collective responsibility which calls for strong partnerships and international determination, joined up international determination as well as professionalism and complementary skills. This summit allows us to take decisions relating to international security and to to exchange good practices, as well as to look closely at the future of police activities through— under the auspices of the United Nations to build our own capacities to strengthen the rule of law and the pillars of stability and security. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, we are convinced that the UN Police represent one of the most effective instruments for peacekeeping. Its effectiveness is not only limited to its field presence. It is also seen in its role in capacity building, support to national institutions, civilian protection, and contributions to conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery, as well as the promotion of individual safety, which focuses violences on human dignity. In this regard, we reaffirm that the next phase should be in line with the need to res— prepare the UN Police to anticipate future requirements of policing, broaden its partnerships with national police services. We must also enhance the capabilities of UN Police personnel, further develop its technical and operational tools so that they are better able to implement the commitment commitments, international commitments, and to address emerging security challenges while also respecting international agreements and international humanitarian law, as well as at the same time promoting the role of women in peace missions and police contingents. In Jordan, we believe that female police officers are important in building trust and protecting the most vulnerable categories in UN missions while also taking into account the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and relevant UN resolutions. In the Hashemite Kingdom, we focus on the importance of promoting international peace and security. We will continue to support UN efforts to preserve peace. We deem that global stability is a collective responsibility and that peacebuilding begins with robust professional institutions. In this context, the Jordanian Public Security Directorate is continuing to develop its security and police systems systems in line with international best practices, particularly by modernizing its technical infrastructure, strengthening specialized training, and, uh, developing the capacities of its personnel while also drawing on international experience, thereby ensuring a high level of readiness to contribute effectively to the full range of UN mandates and programs. A police officer's work isn't limited to upholding the rule of law. They also have a mission to preserve the security and dignity of man in the face of crises and disasters. This was reaffirmed by our participation and our efforts to achieve a model which takes into account Police Excellence. In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the UN and the organizers of this summit. We trust that the ideas and initiatives emerging from this will make a tangible contribution to strengthening international peace and security and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement institutions around the world. Thank you very much.
And I kindly, uh, advise all the Speaker pay attention to our 2-minute statements, okay? Now, we welcome the Acting Commissioner General from Korea to deliver their statement. Commissioner, the floor is yours.
Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, distinguished representative of the police around the world. Excellencies and colleagues, today transnational crimes are more interconnected and involving into their own ecosystem. No single nation can effectively address this challenge alone. To combat these crimes, a stronger international alliance among law enforcement agencies. In this context, the Korea National Police Agency has been expanding its international partnerships. October 2025, the KNPA announced the joint declaration against transnational crime with other countries. And launched the International Investigative Cooperation Alliance. Through these efforts, we are leading the enhancement of our collective capacity, which has successfully led to shutting down several scam compounds and arresting criminals. In addition, the KNPA has worked closely with UN agencies and international partners to share advanced policing systems and expertise. Particularly, the KNPA, in partnership with the UNDP, is assisting in the capacity building of 10 countries, including Bolivia, Indonesia, and North Macedonia, in responding to digital sex crimes. The Korean police are also in the process of obtaining training recognition by the UN Department of Peacekeeping. Operation and the renewed deployment of police officers to UN missions. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and fellow chiefs of police, today AI and digital technologies are transforming our society. As a result, the police agencies are facing unprecedented challenges. The Republic of Korea has overcome the devastation of war and achieved economic development, along with one of the best public safety systems in the world. Combined with UN initiatives, including SDGs And APOPI+, the KNPA qualified experiences and proven expertise can make a positive difference in our future society. We are ready to work hand in hand with the United Nations and member states to share our experience. And to make a contribution to a much safer society. We will stand by you and act together with you. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Now we welcome the Director of the Internal Security Force from Lebanon to deliver their statement. Director, you have the floor.
Ladies and gentlemen, I convey to you the greetings of Lebanon, the land of the cedars, which today continues its walk towards consolidating security and stability and restoring its full sovereignty over its territory. We extend our thanks to the United Nations for convening the summit, which is an important platform for strengthening cooperation among police services worldwide and for exchanging expertise in addressing growing security challenges. In this context, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by United Nations blue helmets serving in conflict areas around the world. We particularly pay tribute to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, whose contribution over the decades has been instrumental in maintaining stability in southern Lebanon. We also honour the memory of all of those martyrs who have given their lives in the cause of peace. The Lebanese state continues its diplomatic efforts to consolidate stability, secure the release of— the liberation of all occupied Lebanese territory, and ensure the return of displaced persons to their towns and villages. It also reaffirms its commitment to extending its authority and sovereignty across its entire territory through its own means, with the support provided by brothers and friends to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, which are the two legitimate institutions responsible for safeguarding Lebanon's security and protecting its citizens. Today, the world is facing transnational challenges that no state can address alone. Organized Crime, trafficking in narcotics and persons, money laundering, and cybercrime all require close cooperation among police services, one that is based on mutual trust, information sharing, capacity building, and the development of international coordination mechanisms. Lebanon reaffirms its support for the growing role played by United United Nations police components in peacekeeping operations and in institution building through the promotion of the rule of law, support for national institutions, protection of civilians, and the contribution to developing safe and stable societies. Ladies and gentlemen, Lebanon, a founding member of the United Nations, renews its steadfast commitment to the principles of its Charter and undercores the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, thereby contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security. Indeed, sustainable security is built on justice, the rule of law, international cooperation, and respect for the sovereignty of states and their internationally recognized borders. Let us work, therefore, together for a safer, more stable, and more peaceful world. Well, thank you very much.
Thank you, Director. Now we welcome the Commissioner General of Police from Lithuania to deliver their statement. Commissioner, the floor is yours.
Thank you, distinguished chair, excellencies, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. It is my honor to address you on behalf of Lithuanian police. Law enforcement agencies around the world face increasingly complex and interconnected challenges. Ongoing instability creates opportunities for organized criminal groups to expand their activities across borders. In particular, the illicit flow of weapons diverted from conflict zones fuels trafficking networks far beyond their regions of origin. Disrupting these flows requires strengthened international cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint risk assessment and robust border management. Organized crime groups adapt remarkably fast. They exploit technological advances, operate across jurisdictions, and take advantage of humanitarian crises and migration flows. Human trafficking remains one of the most serious manifestations of this adaptability, leaving women, children, and vulnerable populations at risk of exploitation. No single country can address these challenges alone. Strong international police cooperation is essential. In peace operations, the United Nations Police play a critical role as a bridge between international and national actors, strengthening operational cooperation and facilitating vital information exchange. Crucially, international policing cooperation must remain firmly grounded in respect of national sovereignty, the rule of law, and human rights. International support should complement, not replace, national ownership. Sustainable success and public trust can only be achieved by effectiveness and accountability go hand in hand. Among the conflicts around the world, war of aggression against Ukraine and hybrid activities across Europe perpetrated by Russia and its borders continue to be a major factor of international instability. In this regard, Lithuania remains committed to supporting Ukraine through humanitarian assistance, expert support, and international accountability efforts. We firmly believe that justice and the rule of law are the only foundations for lasting peace. Our message today is clear: Lithuania stands for justice. We stand for stronger partnership seamless information sharing, and respect for fundamental principles. These are the keys to overcoming the complex criminal challenges of our time. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Commissioner. Now we welcome the Police Commissioner from New Zealand to deliver their statement. Commissioner, the floor is yours.
Mr. Chair, I make this statement on behalf of the New Zealand Police Commissioner, who sends his apologies. I acknowledge the presence of the Cook Islands Police Commissioner Tai Joseph and Chief Richard Sami from Niue, who are part of our delegation. I would also like to thank the Australian Federal Police for sponsoring our Pacific colleagues to participate in UN COPS. I am fortunate to come from a country which is relatively safe and has a diverse but predominantly peaceful society. New Zealand sits in the Pacific region, a region that has become a highway for drug traffickers and organised criminal groups who seek to profit from exploiting our people. Transnational serious and organised crime is impacting on our security and way of life of communities in New Zealand and across the Pacific. Organised criminal networks that do not have respect for borders, for laws, or for the people they seek to exploit, are a serious threat to the security of our region. These criminal groups see us as lucrative markets and easy targets. It's our job to prove them wrong. At this summit, there's a wealth of law enforcement experience. I welcome the chance to engage with many of you, and I thank you and COPS for the opportunity. We cannot counter organized criminal crime by working alone. It requires a collective response which targets the enablers of transnational organized crime, technology, violence, and corruption. These criminal groups are increasingly sophisticated. The technology and tactics used to try to thwart law enforcement bodies require us to stay a step ahead. That means investing in technology and sharing information. It means guarding against corruption at home and cooperating with each other. It is encouraging to see the issue as being given increased priority by leaders and governments of— in many countries, including New Zealand. It is also encouraging that law enforcement agencies are increasingly working together to combat it globally, regionally, and in partnership with each other. In May, the chiefs and commissioners of the Pacific came together at the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit in Nandi, Fiji, We discussed what we were already doing across the region to disrupt organized criminal networks and what more could be done. There are opportunities to do more, particularly when it comes to maritime operations and tackling corruption. We are committed to working together on this. The problem of organized crime that is now impacting on the Pacific does not start in the Pacific. That means we must, we must look for opportunities to work to work with others, as New Zealand Police is doing with Colombia, to tackle this and disrupt criminal cartels at source. New Zealand's longstanding work supporting our Pacific neighbors' law enforcement agencies is also a key of our contribution to the region. It helps ensure the Pacific region is more resilient to the threat posed by transnational crime and its enablers. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner Schröder. Now we welcome the Director General of the National Police from Paraguay to deliver their statement. Director, the floor is yours.
Su Excelencia Ministra, Your Excellencies Ministers, distinguished colleagues, Paraguay is grateful for this opportunity to address this session on strengthening international cooperation to address complex transnational challenges. Allow me to refer to the Bio-Oceanic Corridor. This is a strategic regional integration project linking the Atlantic to the Pacific, connecting Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile. Within Paraguay, this corridor crosses the Chaco, which is a region of tremendous geographical and productive value, creating new opportunities for trade, connectivity, and the development of our communities. However, at the same time, every integration corridor also requires a shared security architecture. Increased flows of people, goods, and services create legitimate opportunities but also give rise to risks associated with transnational organized crime, cross-border crime, illicit trafficking, cybercrime, and the impact of climate-related phenomena on human security. For this reason, Paraguay believes that it's essential to strengthen international police cooperation through real-time information sharing, joint training, legislative support, technical assistance, and institutional capacity building. No state can address cross-border threats in isolation. In this regard, the UN system and its partners can play a strategic role by facilitating common standards, promoting interoperability, and supporting national law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to these challenges. Paraguay also recognizes the mutual benefits of peace operations. Police officers returning from UN missions bring back valuable experience, discipline, a human rights-based approach, and a broader understanding of international cooperation. We reaffirm our commitment to building a representative, responsive, and accountable police service that is people-centered. The Bio-Oceanic Corridor reminds us that regional integration can only be sustainable if security advances hand in hand with development. Thank you.
Thank you, Director. Now we welcome the Inspector General of the Gendarmerie from Romania to deliver their statement.
Director, you have the floor.
Thank you. Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to express my sincere our sincere appreciation to the Department of Peace Operations and the Police Division for organizing the 5th edition of this significant summit. We offer our deepest gratitude and respect to UN peacekeeping personnel, with particular recognition of those who have lost their lives or sustained injuries while serving in the field. Distinguished delegates, I stand before you to emphasize once again the central goals of our collective mission: preventing conflict and violence, and most importantly, sustaining peace. Peacekeeping has been traditionally the very fabric of the work of the United Nations and at the core of the peace and security pillar. This is more relevant than ever in the light of the growing number of conflicts and the emergence of new threats to international security. However, we are witnessing a decline in the peacekeeping activity, exacerbated by the recent financial constraints and activation of counterinsurgency security plans, with a significant effect of the police components of UN peace operations. In this context, we reiterate the crucial role of UNPOL in maintaining public safety, protecting civilians, and building the capacity of host state police forces, thus creating the conditions for sustainable peace. Against the backdrop, we welcome the Secretary-General's work to redefine UNPOL in response to a growing set of challenges and underline the importance of a coordinated, system-wide UN approach to policing activities. Esteemed colleagues, since 1998, the Romanian Gendarmerie and Romanian Police have consistently contributed with the individual police officers and formed police units to United Nations peace operations in challenging and often unpredictable environments. In addition, Romania has supported global capacity-building efforts for peacekeeping peacekeepers through certified training courses, as well as by providing trainers and facilitators to activities organized by the Department of Peace Operations. Our engagement also reflects a strong commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Furthermore, Romania actively participates in the High-Level Network or Gender Responsive Policing Initiative, contributing to the development and exchange of best practices. All these contributions reflect our our conviction that international solidarity, professional excellence, and collective action are essential for maintaining global peace and security. We believe that strong support from Member States, along with close cooperation with host governments, local communities, and regional actors, is essential to the successful implementation of peacekeeping mandates. Perhaps more than ever, we must stand united in our collective, coordinated, and sustained efforts to advancing global peace and security. Thank you all for your attention.
Thank you, Inspector General. Now we welcome the Commander of the Cantonal Police Force from Switzerland to deliver their statement. Commander, you have the floor.
Chers participants, dear participants, the reduction in the United Nations presence on the ground has taken place at a time when needs are increasing. Fewer resources also mean fewer peacekeepers working alongside local communities and our colleagues in host countries. Despite this, men and women continue to leave the comfort of their homes to work for peace. It is to them that Switzerland would like to extend their— its thanks. Our thoughts go My thoughts go out to all those who have lost their lives or been injured. More than 100 conflicts are currently active and criminal activities are on the rise. Sometimes they are even the root cause of these conflicts. Ignoring them means fueling the instability. Drugs trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime is not confined to a single country but spreads across borders borders and oceans. The international support for conflict resolution must take these factors into account along with their ramifications and networks abroad. Because restoring peace means restoring trust among constitu— among populations and their institutions, it requires rebuilding trust between populations and institutions, strengthening the rule of law, and creating the conditions for lasting stability. The police components of peace operations are at the heart of this effort. They help to protect civilian populations and strengthen national institutions. This is a painstaking work and also part of police work. And yet the financial crisis facing international institutions means that we need to demonstrate greater flexibility in our commitment and in establishing new partnerships. Cooperation and the pooling of certain capabilities, as we do in a decentralized country such as Switzerland, offer some avenues worth exploring. We are all developing responses to the challenges that our police officers face every day, sharing these responses and saving time and financial resources. We also need to remain committed to our to a form of policing that is grounded in a solid legal framework serving the public interest while respecting the principles of necessity and proportionality. In the face of transnational repression, we must establish robust legal and institutional safeguards to prevent the misuse of international cooperation for the purpose of persecution. Such an abuse would jeopardize the fruits of many years spent building bridges between our countries. The police must be an instrument for protecting everyone's rights and never, never an obstacle to them. Dear participants at this summit, Swiss support for cross-cooperation is wholehearted. Instability, like crime, recognizes no borders. Or checkpoints. The security of our cities and our rural areas depends on a coordinated effort, both in the daily work of our police forces and among the peacekeepers deployed in conflict zones. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madame Commandant. Now we welcome the Chief of Chief of Police from Tuvalu to deliver their statement. Chief of Police, you have the floor.
Excellency and distinguished colleagues, Talofa. We are deeply honored to be here in this significant summit. We thank the UN Secretary-General for the invitation and the Australian Federal Police for your invaluable support. Now we are here to signal our voice for our nation's future. I speak on behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, a nation of 11,000 people governing 900,000 square kilometers of ocean with minimal police capacity. Drug trafficking through the Pacific has surged 300% in a decade. Maritime crime costs our region $1.3 billion annually. Human trafficking explodes our shores, yet our deadliest threat is invisible. Climate change is rising 1.4 millimeters annually, 3 times the global average. Within 50 years, Tuvalu may cease to exist. Climate change is security policy and not environment policy. 80% of our infrastructure is coastal. Disaster cuts law enforcement capacity by 40%. Collapsing fisheries, 80% of our economy. Fuel criminal recruitment from organized crime. Criminals enter our ocean without any respect. Our region faces a perfect storm of transnational crime, climate displacement, nuclear testing ocean, and tiny nations face convincing resource constraints. We are the victims. We cannot face this alone. I respectfully call upon this Assembly to establish four dedicated Pacific-focused United Nations coordination frameworks: one, Pacific Maritime Security Coordination Centre; 2, Pacific Climate Crime Nexus Task Force; 3, Pacific Law Enforcement Capacity Initiative; and 4, a Pacific Regional Prosecution Network to harmonize prosecution. Finally, we need commitment, not promises; resources, and not rhetoric; action, not analysis. We seek your cooperation to strengthen our borders as criminal activity increasing crosses our ocean without regards for sovereignty. Pacific Island security is global security. Our solution today can serve as a model worldwide. The Tuvalu Police Service commits to partnership We ask you to commit to our Pacific. Together, we will build a strong future. Faafetai lasi. Thank you.
Thank you, Chief of Police. Now we welcome the President of Interpol to deliver their statement. President, you have the floor.
Excellence, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, and your various ranks and capacities, colleagues. In light of the latest developments in transnational crime, we're all asking ourselves the same fundamental question: how can we better organize ourselves collectively to respond to these challenges? For a long time, security, development, justice, and humanitarian assistance each had its own distinct communities of action. However, as you know, criminal networks have largely transcended these divisions. Since my election as president of Interpol, I've had the opportunity to observe an impressive number of initiatives, not only those led by Interpol but also those led by states, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector actors. Multilateralism is also fueled by bilateralism and Plurilateralism pragmatically. Our challenge is therefore not a lack of willingness or action, but rather it is how to optimally structure all of this expertise in the current budgetary context that we're all aware of. Our responsibility is to maximize the impact of what already exists, to build bridges, to create targeted coalitions, and put our comparative advantages to work in the fight against all forms of crime and terrorism. At Interpol, this is the objective we are pursuing through our new Strategic Framework for 2026-2030. Our aim is for Interpol to be not only a global platform for the exchange of police information, but also a catalyst for technical and operational cooperation among the various actors involved in security. This logic naturally finds its place in the relationship that has united Interpol and the UN for nearly 30 years. The agreement concluded in 1997 was visionary. The resolutions adopted by consensus between our two organizations since then have confirmed its relevance. Today, I'm convinced that this partnership, this intelligent partnership, is entering a new phase of its development. Our challenge is no longer to justify its existence, but to increase its impact, because security means peace. During my term of office, I will work to strengthen its operational implementation for the benefit of our member states and, above all, for the 25 million police officers around the world. Thank you for your attention.
Thank you, President. Excellency, distinguished representatives, thank you for your attention, and this will bring to the end of this session.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we are reaching the end of the 5th United Nations Chief of Police Summit. We thank you for your active participation. Strong words of support for United Nations Police and the invaluable insight you have shared today about the challenges we are all facing, as well as the opportunities we are all creating by working together. I now call on the Police Advisor, Commissioner Faiza Shakar, to officially close the summit. Thank you.
Excellencies, Chiefs of Police, Gendarmerie, distinguished delegates, it's my pleasure to close this 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit. I would like to thank all of you for your valuable contributions throughout the day, which will no doubt help advance a vision for the future of the United Nations Police. Allow me to briefly reflect on some of the conclusions and our discussions. We reaffirmed that United Nations Police is fundamental to peacekeeping., and the police play a key role in restoring security and justice systems and rule of law, which is critical to the achievement of Action for Peacekeeping and the Pact for Future. I commend you for pledging to contribute to sustaining peace by strengthening your own police and other law enforcement agencies with a view to enhancing their representativeness responsiveness, and accountability. To this end, I deeply appreciate the commitment reaffirmed by many of you to develop women police officers within your own ranks, to deploy more women officers for UN service, and to support our initiatives related to training, professional development for women officers at all levels, particularly at command roles. Many of you also emphasized the increasing need for cooperation in preventing and combating transnational organized crime, climate-related conflict and insecurity, and innovation and new technologies to ensure that UN Police remains fit for the purpose. I think we all agree that the peacekeeping landscape and the nature of UN policing have changed dramatically since the first deployment of UN Police some 60+ years ago. Therefore, we must work together to enable the UN Police to evolve and adapt with the right personnel, equipment, skilled capacities, and mindsets. Let me highlight some areas that we believe are critical to this effort. Both accountability to peacekeepers and accountability of peacekeepers are essential. This means bridging key gaps in United Nations Police performance against evolving global challenges so that outstanding performance remains the standard. We also call on your continued engagement both for political solutions and for the enhanced safety and security of United Nations personnel. There continues to be a critical need to ensure that the mandates are clear, credible, and achievable, articulated around realistic expectations and adequately resourced. For this, we ask your voices in your capitals and here in New York. We must continue enhancing strategic and operational integration within our missions while improving coordination across United Nations and with member states, including through the Interagency Task Force on Policing, which is co-chaired by the Department of Peace Operations and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC., which bring together some 15 UN entities involved in the aspect of policing and law enforcement. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, above all today I hope we have made a clear case for how the skills and the knowledge that your officers can acquire during service with UN can benefit your own national policing services. Police officers who serve with us often under very challenging circumstances return to their home countries with the different cultural awareness, perspectives, experiences, and skills needed for police in an increasingly diverse, globalized world. Many of the biggest challenges we have discussed today require unique and specific policing responses and comparative advantages of police bring to the table. More recently, there have been growing requests for the provision of the UN Police assistance in non-mission settings. The UN Police often, through the standing police capacity, have recently supported member states and our UN system partners with technical assistance and expertise— countries including Guinea, Iraq, Moldova, Morocco. Therefore, investing in UN policing is a small but wise and cost-effective investment in peace. I conclude by thanking you once again for your participation and important contributions. My special appreciation goes to the Government of Australia for making this important gathering possible, and I encourage member states to consider sponsoring a next one in 2028. We commend the commitment of all of you to United Nations policing and to broader organizational objectives— lasting global peace and security. This successful 5th UN Police Summit officially comes to close. I thank you all for your participation, as well as the United Nations, all police staff here who worked very hard to make it a success, along with the member states. Thank you so much.
Attention, right turn. Move!