• Wednesday, November 15,2023

MOI reviews I2LEC and champions global police initiatives in UN Security Council media briefing

In a Security Council briefing on United Nations peacekeeping operations led by police commissioners, the Ministry of Interior provided an overview of the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC). Originating from the UAE, I2LEC aims to support and enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies globally in confronting crimes resulting from climate change. The presentation also underscored the UAE's commitment to peacekeeping efforts and global community security amidst the challenges of climate change.

Lt. Col. Dana Humaid Director General of International Affairs Bureau at Ministry of Interior inUnited Arab Emirates delivered the state's statement in a Security Council briefing on UN peacekeeping operations led by police commissioners. The speech commenced by examining the escalation in conflicts and challenges confronting global UN police capabilities, emphasizing their pivotal role in safeguarding civilians, ensuring community safety, and fortifying national institutions.

Underlining the UAE Ministry of Interior's commitment, she emphasized support for global peace plans and five-year UN initiatives. These initiatives aim to modernize the UN's peace and security structure, including police services, for enhanced readiness against current and emerging challenges. Four main points were highlighted. Crucially, the first emphasized adherence to UN police performance standards, essential not only for mission execution but also for community perception. Increased transparency in incident reporting and data utilization were considered integral to the overall planning and evaluation system. Early warnings, training sessions, and pre-deployment elements were noted as crucial for operational readiness, enhancing United Nations police performance. Last September, the UAE hosted a workshop in Abu Dhabi for the second time, supporting police operations. This gathering brought together leaders from peace operations and special political missions to exchange insights on performance and efforts.

She emphasized the second point, asserting that United Nations police work can benefit from regional partnerships. The UAE believes cooperation with regional police organizations is crucial for context-aware policing. The work of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing is a vital opportunity to assess the effectiveness of UN policy assistance efforts, identify gaps in support, and determine synergy between UN mechanisms and regional and sub-regional policing structures. Transitioning to the third point, it was stressed that UN peacekeeping forces must act as responsible custodians of their environment. With climate change contributing to instability and affecting agricultural patterns, peacekeeping missions must avoid harming the environment. This perspective underscores the importance of the UAE's launch of the "Energy Charter on Renewable Energy in UN Peacekeeping Operations."

In the subsequent reference, mention was made of the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), supporting the environmental strategy of the UN Secretariat. The UAE collaborates closely with the United Nations Police and partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, ESRI, Ameripol, Europol, AFRIPOL, ASEANAPOL, GCCPOL, ACCP, the US Department of Homeland Security, the Joint Environmental Unit of UNEP and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in order to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement to prevent and combat crimes affecting the environment and climate change. Through I2LEC, the UAE has initiated five global initiatives to combat environmental crimes in the South and North: a climate operations unit led by Interpol, a global preparedness assessment, research on environmental crimes by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and a global training center in Abu Dhabi, in addition to the environmental preparedness initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This year, the UAE will host a ministerial forum on climate resilience, titled Empowering Law Enforcement for a Greener Future, on the sidelines of (COP28) in Dubai at the end of this month.

The Ministry’s representative introduced the fourth point, emphasizing the crucial need to increase the participation of women in police forces and United Nations police forces globally. This is vital for achieving less violent, more peaceful, and more inclusive societies. Commending the efforts made by the police to attain gender participation goals within a short timeframe, it is recognized that the current goal falls short of achieving parity. It is imperative to elevate this ambition, surpassing the current objective of gender parity, to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace efforts, including in the field.

Concluding her speech, she underscored the significance of the UAE’s sponsorship of the 2024 UN Chiefs of Police Summit, confirming that the UAE is eager to enhance coordination and international action, fully committed to working closely with the UN Police Division and the Department of Peace Operations. This commitment extends to launching the new peace program and supporting efforts to maintain security and enhance the stability of societies worldwide.