The Ministry of Justice in Abu Dhabi has convened the "Conference on the Role of Central Authorities in Asset Recovery," welcoming official delegations and experts from 14 countries, alongside representatives from various specialized international organizations.
During the opening session, H.E. Judge Abdul Rahman Murad Al Balooshi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation and Legal Affairs Sector, welcomed the participants and highlighted the pivotal role of asset recovery in global efforts to combat corruption, money laundering, and organized crime, including drug trafficking and terrorism financing. He emphasized the importance of central authorities as key communication channels between states, ensuring effective international collaboration in this field.
Al Balooshi indicated that asset recovery extends beyond tracking and seizing illicit gains, aiming to restore these assets to their rightful owners and channel them into initiatives that promote development, institutional growth, and equitable justice. He added that theevolution and growing complexity of crimes involving virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies and digital tokens pose fresh challenges requiring sophisticated tools, specialized knowledge, and strengthened international partnerships. “The conference offers a platform for sharing best practices, addressing mutual challenges, and exploring avenues to strengthen international cooperation in combating economic crimes while enhancing asset recovery mechanisms across borders, reinforcing the pursuit of justice,” he continued.
Running until September 24, the conference includes a diverse agenda featuring panel discussions and presentations by representatives from the UAE, France, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other European countries like Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Participants also include organizations such as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Eurojust, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), along with federal and local prosecution entities, the Ministry of Interior, and the Financial Intelligence Unit. Key subjects under discussion include digital transformation in asset recovery and related legal and technical challenges. The conference includes open sessions for knowledge exchange, the introduction of digital initiatives on its third day, and bilateral meetings intended to enhance practical collaboration. This conference reflects the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to promoting transparency, refining national legislation, and aligning with AML and asset recovery international standards.