UAE Hosts WeProtect Global Summit 2024 to Address Online Child Exploitation and Abuse.

General


Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Interior will host the WeProtect Global Summit in Abu Dhabi on December 4-5, 2024, bringing together global leaders, decision-makers, and experts to contribute to identifying and proactively addressing technological trends that impact the fight against child exploitation and abuse online. The UAE is hosting this global summit for the second time, after hosting the 2015 edition, reflecting its commitment to supporting global efforts that enhance international cooperation for the benefit of humanity.

According to Emirates News Agency, the selection of the UAE to host this global event underscores its prestigious global position and the respect it commands from countries and organizations worldwide. The WeProtect Global Alliance, comprising over 310 governments, companies, and charities, is co-hosting the summit with the UAE Ministry of the Interior to drive urgent action against the rise of child sexual exploitation and abuse online.

As the WeProtect Global Alliance marks a deca
de of impactful work in safeguarding children online, the summit will be held in a hybrid format, both physically in Abu Dhabi and online. The event aims to strengthen partnerships among governments, technology providers, and social media companies to collectively build a safer digital realm for children.

Under the theme “Focus on the Future,” the summit will gather top government officials, tech innovators, child protection experts, and survivor advocates to tackle pressing challenges in protecting children in the digital age. A key highlight will be the launch of a report by WeProtect Global Alliance and Thorn, which examines emerging technology trends such as predictive AI, generative AI, end-to-end encryption, and quantum computing.

Attendees will engage with distinguished thought leaders and experts, including Baroness Joanna Shields OBE, Lt. Col. Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi, and Nina Jane Patel, among others. The summit will also feature initial findings from research on the impacts of responding to onlin
e child exploitation, presented by WeProtect Global Alliance and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The summit is expected to draw ministers from various countries and leaders from international organizations, civil society, and the tech industry. Discussions will focus on tackling AI-generated child sexual abuse material and the regulatory challenges in keeping children safe online.

Lt. Colonel Dana Humaid AI Marzouqi emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and empowering communities to create a safer digital world for children. Iain Drennan, Executive Director at WeProtect Global Alliance, highlighted the summit’s goal to drive real action and solutions to stop the escalation of online child exploitation and abuse.