UAE pledges $50mn to Interpol foundation

Abu Dhabi, March 28 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged a contribution of $54 million to the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World to support seven projects designed to combat global crime and terrorism ahead of a security forum here.

The first Unity for Security Forum is being held in partnership with the UAE government from Tuesday to Thursday.

The forum will bring together ministers, senior government officials, and representatives from the private sector, to collectively discuss and address common issues and identify their responsibilities in combating future security threats.

The seven Interpol projects focus on counter-terrorism, cybercrime, cultural heritage, vulnerable communities, vehicle crime, drugs and illicit goods.

Brigadier Hamad Ajlan Al Amimi, Director-General of the Federal Criminal Police at the Ministry of Interior, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and partnership with all countries, institutions and international bodies in order to enhance the efforts of the UAE to ensure the safety and security of the international community.

"Building relations with relevant institutions in the fight against crime, including Interpol, its member countries and the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World, strengthens the fight against global crime through cooperation," he said a press conference on Monday.

Elias Murr, president of the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World, said: "We welcome the continued partnership and leadership demonstrated by the government of the UAE in sponsoring these seven projects, which deal with some of the complex threats we currently face."

"This funding will help to ensure we are able to build diverse collaborations that bring together technical expertise and knowledge of the issues that help us to ensure safety and security," he added.

Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock said the contribution comes at a time when the world policing body is being encouraged to play a larger role in improving global security.

"The threats posed by terrorism, organised crime and cybercrime are more complex and global than ever, requiring Interpol to play an even stronger role in international police cooperation.

The UAE became an Interpol member country in October 1973.

--IANS/WAM

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