DJI, UNODC Launch Second Edition Of Legal Challenges Forum For GCC

The Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the GCC, has launched the second edition of the Contemporary Legal and Judicial Challenges Forum under the theme “Combating Electronic Financial Fraud”.

 

The forum forms part of DJI’s efforts to strengthen the preparedness of the judicial and legal ecosystem to address rapidly evolving challenges in the digital environment. It brought together senior representatives from judicial and legal institutions, specialised authorities, and financial and digital sectors to examine emerging risks and strengthen cooperation.

 

The event was attended by Her Excellency Judge Dr Ebtessam Ali Al Badwawi, Director General of DJI, and His Excellency Judge Dr Hatem Aly, Head of Mission and Regional Representative of UNODC for the GCC Region, along with senior representatives of legal and judicial bodies and specialised authorities across the UAE.

 

The forum provided a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange, combining judicial expertise, legal analysis, technical insights and international cooperation to examine contemporary challenges linked to electronic financial fraud. It also highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to protect the integrity of financial systems and uphold the rule of law in the digital age.

 

Strengthening Judicial Preparedness

 

Judge Dr Ebtessam Ali Al Badwawi said the second edition reflected DJI’s commitment to raising judicial and legal awareness of emerging challenges, particularly electronic financial fraud, which has become a significant legal and economic threat at both national and international levels.

 

She said the forum seeks to deepen understanding of such crimes, examine international best practices and strengthen cooperation between judicial institutions and international organisations. Such efforts, she added, support the development of the justice system and Dubai’s vision of creating a resilient and future-ready legal environment.

 

Al Badwawi said tackling electronic financial fraud requires more than legislative frameworks. It also depends on stronger institutional preparedness, effective investigative and evidentiary tools, improved procedures for handling digital evidence and enhanced international judicial cooperation in addressing transnational crime.

 

The forum therefore brought together judicial, legal, security, regulatory, financial and digital stakeholders with international specialists to examine practical approaches to combating these offences.

 

Addressing Cross-Border Threats

 

Judge Dr Hatem Aly said the forum’s organisation in partnership with DJI was strategically important in addressing contemporary legal and judicial challenges. He noted that UNODC serves as the secretariat of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

 

He highlighted the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the expansion of instant payment networks and the difficulties involved in cross-border prosecution as among the key challenges facing efforts to combat electronic financial fraud.

 

According to Aly, such offences have evolved from isolated activities into increasingly organised networks that exploit technological developments, including social engineering, cryptocurrencies and digital identity fraud, to develop sophisticated methods of deception.

 

He said the partnership seeks to facilitate knowledge-sharing and familiarise the judicial and legal ecosystem, financial and banking institutions, digital-sector organisations and other relevant stakeholders with regional and international methods and best practices for addressing these risks.

 

Examining Emerging Fraud Risks

 

The forum brought together members of the judiciary, justice policymakers and representatives of financial, banking and digital institutions to strengthen their capacity to develop effective legal responses to emerging challenges.

 

Discussions focused on the legal dimensions of electronic financial fraud, the challenges facing judicial authorities and financial institutions, and international experiences and best practices in combating such offences.

 

Sessions examined the evolving nature of cyber-enabled financial fraud, including the technical and digital complexities involved, the importance of international judicial cooperation in tackling cross-border crime, and the UAE’s national framework for combating such offences.

 

The sessions were led by national and international experts and drew participation from local and federal judicial authorities, financial and digital-sector institutions and banks operating across the UAE.

 

The broad participation underscored the importance of coordinated action among the justice system, regulatory authorities and financial institutions in responding to emerging legal and technological challenges.

 

Through the second edition of the forum, DJI reaffirmed its commitment to specialised knowledge initiatives aimed at promoting legal and judicial excellence and strengthening international cooperation.

 

The institute said such efforts support the development of an agile justice system capable of responding to evolving challenges and contribute to Dubai’s vision of strengthening its position as a global centre for specialised legal and judicial development.