UAE Takes the Helm of INTERPOL's Committee on Governance
United Arab Emirates Appointed Chair of INTERPOL's Significant Policy-Making Body
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a significant step in its diplomatic and security endeavours, securing the position of chairing INTERPOL's Committee on Governance. This core advisory body is responsible for overseeing INTERPOL's governance framework and advising on amendments, interpretation, and other critical governance matters.
The UAE's appointment to this role is a testament to their international standing and dedication to the advancement of international security frameworks. Their leadership is expected to contribute to the development of INTERPOL's governance framework, fostering collaboration and cooperation among member states.
Since assuming the chairmanship, the UAE has expanded INTERPOL’s operational capacities. A special INTERPOL office focused on managing data from sophisticated surveillance and communication monitoring platforms like SkyECC has been established, growing from a small team to at least a dozen personnel. This enhancement has enabled the UAE and INTERPOL to track and act on criminal intelligence in real time.
Under the UAE's leadership, emphasis has been placed on improving mechanisms for international cooperation in criminal matters, such as simplifying extradition processes and prioritising cases involving serious crimes like murder and weapons possession. This focus has had tangible impact on global policing by making Dubai less of a safe haven for wanted individuals.
The UAE's leadership role in INTERPOL is part of broader efforts to deepen international law enforcement partnerships and combat transnational crimes effectively. However, some controversies have been linked to the UAE’s human rights record and leadership within INTERPOL. These concerns have been raised by international human rights organizations and have led to investigations in some jurisdictions.
Despite these issues, the UAE's role as chair of INTERPOL's Committee on Governance involves steering governance improvements towards more effective international criminal cooperation, with impacts including enhanced intelligence sharing, extradition facilitation, and operational strengthening. The Committee on Governance, which includes legal and governance experts from various INTERPOL member states, ensures inclusive and balanced representation in shaping INTERPOL's future.
The UAE will lead discussions, shape decisions, and report to both the General Assembly and the Executive Committee for the next two years. Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior, won 67% of the votes to secure this leadership role.
References:
[1] INTERPOL. (n.d.). Committee on Governance. Retrieved from https://www.interpol.int/en/Structure/Committee-on-Governance
[2] The National. (2025, April 1). UAE takes the helm of INTERPOL's Committee on Governance. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/middle-east/uae-takes-the-helm-of-interpol-s-committee-on-governance-1.1133566
[3] Human Rights Watch. (2024, October 1). UAE: INTERPOL President's Tenure Should Be Terminated. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/01/uae-interpol-president-s-tenure-should-be-terminated
[4] Amnesty International. (2024, September 30). UAE: Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi must step down as INTERPOL president. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/09/uae-major-general-ahmed-naser-al-raisis-must-step-down-as-interpol-president/
- The UAE's leadership in INTERPOL's Committee on Governance aims to guide future developments towards more efficient international criminal cooperation, including enhanced intelligence sharing, extradition facilitation, and operational strengthening.
- The next two years will see the UAE lead discussions and shape decisions, reporting to both the General Assembly and the Executive Committee within the context of the finance, business, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice realms.
- The Committee on Governance, consisting of legal and governance experts from various member states, fosters balanced representation, ensuring a inclusive and equitable role in shaping the future of the industry and INTERPOL.
- The UAE's position in INTERPOL has raised concerns from international human rights organizations about the country's human rights record, leading to investigations in several jurisdictions and calls for the termination of the UAE's tenure as INTERPOL president.
