Abu Dhabi:A high-level event titled 'Overcoming Environmental Crime From Promises to Tangible Results' was conducted by the UAE Ministry of Interior on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to address transnational environmental crime. According to Emirates News Agency , the event was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, France, and Azerbaijan. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, moderated the session, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation among governments, law enforcement, and organizations to combat these crimes. Colonel Dana Al Marzouqi, Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, highlighted the UAE's commitment to environmental security, viewing it as a crucial aspect of both national and global security. She discussed the Ministry's initiatives, including the International Initiative for Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC) launched with UNODC in 2023, and Operation 'Green Shield 2026', aimed at tackling illegal activities in the Amazon Basin. During the session, Al Marzouqi announced the 'Abu Dhabi Call to Action', urging for concrete measures to address environmental crime globally. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, noted the challenge posed by environmental crimes to justice and security and their evolution into transnational organized crime. French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin underscored the importance of addressing drug trafficking and environmental crime, while Lucas Philippe of INTERPOL discussed the operational difficulties due to the cross-border nature of such crimes. Vugar Aliyev from Azerbaijan emphasized enhancing national capabilities and sharing best practices for investigating transnational environmental crimes.