Sheikh Saif Leads Global Push Against Environmental Crimes at COP29

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, presided over a high-level ministerial forum on law enforcement and environmental protection at COP29. Held in the Blue Zone, the forum brought together prominent global leaders to address the critical role of law enforcement in tackling climate and cross-border challenges.

Organised in collaboration with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the event built on the momentum of last year’s COP28 in Dubai. Key participants included Dr. Kamran Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor-General and Vice-President of the International Association of Prosecutors; Dr. Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director; Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-designate; and Alexander Zouev, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

In his keynote address, Sheikh Saif congratulated Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 and acknowledged the pivotal collaboration between Dr. Aliyev and Dr. Waly in organising the forum, themed “Mobilizing Law Enforcement to Promote Climate Action.”

Sheikh Saif shared a profound message: “The Earth is akin to a mother whose health is vital for humanity’s survival and prosperity. If the health of our land is sound, humanity thrives, the world flourishes, and future generations are secure.” He highlighted the UAE’s commitment to sustainability, a principle deeply rooted in its environmental and societal philosophy.

At the forum, Sheikh Saif unveiled progress under the International Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC) initiative, launched at COP28. The initiative has achieved significant milestones through operations such as Green Justice and Jungle Shield, which span the Amazon and Congo Basins. These efforts, conducted in partnership with 11 nations, UNODC, and international organisations, have prevented over 213,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and seized 32 kilogrammes of illegally mined gold.

“Environmental terrorism is a reality,” Sheikh Saif warned, emphasising that crimes targeting ecosystems have far-reaching consequences, including links to money laundering, corruption, and the financing of terrorism. He called for increased transparency and international collaboration to address these challenges.

The forum also introduced the “Heat Map” tool, developed with ESRI, which helps law enforcement identify environmental crime hotspots and align efforts with climate goals. Participants explored innovative strategies, such as adopting renewable energy and digital technologies, to enhance law enforcement’s role in protecting ecosystems.

The event concluded with the unveiling of the “Baku Call to Action”, a declaration reaffirming global commitment to empowering law enforcement in combating environmental crimes. Building on the foundation of the “Abu Dhabi Call to Action” launched at COP28, the declaration calls for enhanced international collaboration, resource allocation, and climate-focused law enforcement strategies.