• Wednesday, October 08,2025

MOI concludes international training program under I2LEC initiative to strengthen law enforcement capabilities in addressing environmental crimes amid record attendance and participation

The International Training activities carried out by the Ministry of Interior represented by the Office of International Affairs and within the International Climate Enforcement Initiative (I2LEC) concluded, and is an expanded virtual training programme for 2025, implemented during September and October, with the aim of strengthening the capacities of law enforcement personnel involved in combating environmental crimes and their impacts on climate change.

Presented by experts and specialists from four continents, this programme was made available in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Arabic, addressing three main themes related to global trends, investigative techniques, conventions and international legal frameworks.
The three-stage training sessions in September and October 2025 saw record participation with more than 1,619 people from 123 countries around the world and representatives from 376 international law enforcement organizations and institutions from the public and private sectors.

The first session, which was held over two days in mid-September, addressed the first theme related to wildlife crimes and biodiversity. Experts from law enforcement and Europol reviewed the most prominent practices associated with combating illicit trafficking in fungal organisms and protecting endangered species, highlighting relevant international legislation and conventions, and sharing their experiences on best practices in protecting ecosystems and strengthening global efforts in this area.
The second session, which was also held over two days in late September 2025, was devoted to discussing the second theme on hazardous substances and toxins, addressing topics including detection mechanisms and handling of toxic chemicals and industrial pollutants, as well as reviewing the challenges arising from illicit trafficking in these substances and their health and environmental impacts. International experts also presented successful experiences in addressing these crimes, emphasizing the importance of strengthening international cooperation and sharing intelligence and technical information among States and security institutions.

With regard to the third session, which was held at the beginning of October 2025 over two days, it focused on the third theme on waste management and pollution control. It looked at international laws on proper waste disposal, modern mechanisms for monitoring and tracking associated environmental violations, as well as the role of technology in supporting law enforcement and environmental control processes. The session also allowed participants to discuss successful national and regional strategies in waste management and reducing the carbon footprint, supporting international efforts to reduce pollution and protect the health of communities.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the virtual training program witnessed record levels of attendance and participation from various continents around the world, reflecting the prominent position of the I2LEC initiative as a global platform for sharing expertise in the field of combating environmental crimes. She pointed out that this wide turnout confirms the international community's confidence in the UAE's leading role in supporting global environmental initiatives and its ongoing efforts to enhance international law enforcement cooperation to address common climate and environmental challenges.

The training series is part of the I2LEC initiative as part of the Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to raise awareness and develop the capabilities of law enforcement personnel around the world in the face of environmental crimes, in line with global priorities in protecting climate and preserving nature resources and biodiversity.