UNAFRI Advances African Perspectives at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Updated: 16 hours ago
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 26 September 2026.
The United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI) is participating in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 26 September to 1 October 2026. UNAFRI is represented by Mr. Munanura Andrew Karokora, Acting Director General.
The United Nations describes the Crime Congress as the world’s largest and most diverse gathering of policymakers, practitioners, academics, intergovernmental organisations and civil society working in crime prevention and criminal justice. Held under the theme, “Accelerating crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: protecting people and planet and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age,” the Congress provides an important platform for examining how justice systems can respond to rapid technological change, evolving forms of crime and the needs of people and communities. (United Nations event information).
Advancing access to justice
UNAFRI’s participation places particular emphasis on access to justice and the need for criminal justice institutions that are inclusive, responsive and capable of protecting human dignity. This closely relates to Workshop 2 of the Congress, “Ensuring equal access to justice for all: towards safe and secure societies while respecting the rule of law.” (Official UNODC discussion guide)
UNAFRI brings to these discussions experience from its work in research, professional training, policy engagement, rehabilitation and reintegration, cooperation with Member States and partnerships across the criminal justice sector. Its recent programmes have addressed trafficking in persons, forensic capacity, pre-trial justice, judicial cooperation, youth participation and the development of stronger links between evidence, policy and institutional practice.
Connecting youth engagement with capacity building
On 30 September, the Acting Director General will contribute to the PNI Lab session, “From Training to Impact: The PNI’s Contribution to Strengthening Criminal Justice through Capacity-Building.” His presentation will highlight UNAFRI’s African Youth Crime Prevention Platform (AYCPP), which uses X Spaces and other digital channels to bring young Africans into discussions with justice practitioners, researchers and institutions.
Each AYCPP discussion is recorded and transcribed, enabling UNAFRI to preserve participants’ contributions, prepare session reports and identify recommendations that can inform research, training and policy dialogue. This digital engagement complements practical capacity building programmes, including recent training on trafficking in persons and forensic first response.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate UNAFRI’s approach to connecting public participation, professional learning and institutional action: widening access to knowledge, strengthening practitioner capacity and translating dialogue into material that can support better criminal justice practice.
Sharing UNAFRI’s record and future direction
Participation in the Congress gives UNAFRI an opportunity to contribute African experience to global criminal justice discussions, learn from other regions and strengthen cooperation with Member States, UNODC and fellow institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network (PNIs).
Through this engagement, UNAFRI reaffirms its commitment to accessible and people-centred justice, stronger institutions, meaningful youth participation and coordinated African responses to contemporary crime and justice challenges.
Comments