• Wednesday, February 05,2025

Saif bin Zayed Attends First Meeting of GCC-European Criminal Investigation Directors-General

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attended part of the inaugural meeting of the GCC-European Directors-General of Criminal Investigations and Investigations, which the UAE Ministry of Interior is hosting in collaboration with the GCC Secretariat, the European Union and the Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), and the GCC Police Service.

His Highness welcomed the attendees, including officials, experts and specialists, wishing them constructive discussions that would contribute to enriching international efforts in combating crimes and enhance joint integrated work between police organizations around the world for a safer world. His Highness stressed that the Gulf-European work is ongoing and at different levels, expressing his hope to advance these efforts and enhance paths of cooperation.

The first meeting commenced in the presence of HE Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior; His Excellency Eniko Febril Benloch, Deputy Head of the European Union Mission to the UAE; along with the heads of the participating Gulf and European delegations, several officers from the Ministry of Interior, and officials from the GCC General Secretariat.

This high-profile meeting is part of an ongoing global dialogue that unites regional police organizations and security entities to coordinate efforts against transnational threats. It serves as a platform for unified action to address the evolving security challenges facing the world today.

HE Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Interior, opened the event with a welcome speech, and emphasized the UAE’s commitment to international police cooperation, bringing together law enforcement agencies to exchange expertise, discuss shared challenges, and enhance crime-fighting capabilities. He highlighted that the fight against crime is a collective responsibility requiring seamless coordination at local, regional, and international levels.

HE Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, reaffirmed the GCC’s commitment to integrated global security efforts and thanked the UAE for hosting this critical meeting, underscoring its role in fostering international collaboration.

The opening session also featured addresses from Brigadier Mubarak Saeed Al Khaili on behalf of the GCC Police Service, Europol’s Executive Director of Operations Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, and other delegation.

The first day featured discussions on a number of issues related to cybercrimes, artificial intelligence, and others, where European experts shared their views with their Gulf counterparts on the nature of these crimes, recent developments, and challenges facing law enforcement forces in their quest to reduce and confront this type of crime, as well as the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of expertise and best practices in order to enhance the capabilities of police personnel and law enforcement forces in enhancing the security of societies. The second day is expected to witness deliberations related to different types of crimes, and recommendations and outcomes from this meeting will be issued to enhance countries’ efforts in cooperation, coordination, and building solutions to technical challenges, emerging crimes, and emerging changes in the world of crime and its patterns.