ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 26, 2026--
The 15 th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Abu Dhabi 2026 kicked off today at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Set to run until 1 October, the Congress attracts representatives from over 97 countries, including over 32 ministers of justice and interior ministers, alongside senior officials, judges, prosecutors, experts, and youth from around the world.
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The opening session witnessed the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which serves as the Congress's principal political and strategic outcome document and will guide international priorities and cooperation in crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law over the next five years.
The Declaration is structured around four pillars: prevention and resilience, justice and the rule of law, evolving and converging criminal threats and innovation and cooperation. These pillars are reflected across 18 articles and 67 paragraphs that collectively form the Abu Dhabi Declaration.
Among the priorities championed by the UAE within the Declaration are women, children, artificial intelligence and the environment. The Declaration also addresses issues including organised crime and cybercrime, the responsible use of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in criminal justice, protection of victims, witnesses and vulnerable groups, asset recovery and combating illicit financial flows, anti-corruption efforts, international cooperation and mutual legal assistance, extradition, women's participation in criminal justice systems, combating violence against women, and strengthening child-sensitive justice systems.
The opening ceremony marked the launch of Pledge4Justice, a platform designed to translate political commitments into practical initiatives that support implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration and contribute to the advancement of crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law.
The UAE announced the first pledge of up to USD 5 million under the initiative, through annual contributions of up to USD 1 million over the 2026 to 2031 period, underscoring its commitment to supporting international efforts to strengthen justice systems, develop capacity and ensure that the Congress's outcomes deliver sustainable impact across communities.
The Congress is held under the theme "Accelerating Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law: Protecting People and Planet and Achieving the 2030 Agenda in the Digital Age." Its programme includes 15 major events, 93 speakers, 200 side meetings and an exhibition featuring 38 stands.
Source:AETOSWire
UAE Opens 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and Launches Pledge4Justice with First Pledge of Up to USD 5 Million (Photo: AETOSWire)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Colin Simmons tied the program record with five sacks as top-ranked Texas held off No. 14 Tennessee 20-17 Saturday with President Donald Trump on hand in the Longhorns' first visit to Neyland Stadium.
Raleek Brown ran for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and his 4-yarder with 5:41 left gave the Longhorns the winning margin in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. Giannis Spetic had a pair of field goals.
“We win big games around here, we do,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “I know we don’t win them all, but we won a lot of them. And what an incredible performance by our defense.”
It was a defensive day with Texas (4-0) dominating with 10 sacks, led by Simmons. The linebacker's day for the record books also will be remembered for his vulgar celebration after one sack. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct with the referee saying Simmons was “simulating” using the restroom.
“We took him out, we addressed it and put him back in," Sarkisian said. “At that point, I’m not going to give the guy a death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct. We got to fix it though. That can't continue."
Tennessee quarterback Brandon Faizon made it interesting late, capping an 80-yard drive with a 30-yard TD pass to Mike Matthews with 1:22 left. Linebacker Arion Carter recovered the onside kick, and Jelani McDonald batted away Brandon’s pass to Travis Smith Jr. on the final play in the end zone.
Sarkisian called it crazy in a game Texas also gave up a 57-yard punt return by Qua Moss for a TD. Sarkisian took a timeout that gave Tennessee a second chance at the onside kick after sending the first out of bounds.
“Next thing you know you're fighting to finish a game, which we were able to do,” Sarkisian said.
Arch Manning also made his first trip to Knoxville, where his uncle Peyton played for Tennessee in the 1990s.
Manning threw for 201 yards while being sacked six times. He also was intercepted once with the Longhorns needing the smothering defensive performance to help on a day with too many penalties, including two illegal forward passes by Manning.
Tennessee (3-1) hadn't beaten The Associated Press' No. 1 team since 1985, and that drought continues.
“Up front we weren’t good enough,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. "Quarterback was not good enough. We didn’t play smart enough, but I’ll take the effort.”
Texas: The Longhorns have lots to clean up, particularly when it comes to penalties they can control. They piled up 11 for 115 yards with seven of those in the first half. Jermaine Bishop Jr. wiped out his own 22-yard punt return in the third quarter with a fair catch signal that officials caught.
Tennessee: The Vols came in 14th nationally averaging 516.3 yards total offense per game. They came nowhere near that with Brandon surviving a beating in his SEC debut. Brandon finished 17 of 29 for 145 yards. He didn't talk to reporters after the game.
Heupel said the freshman: "Didn’t get rid of it when he needed to get rid of it.”
Texas has a week off before playing Oklahoma in Dallas on Oct. 10.
Tennessee hosts Auburn on Oct. 3.
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Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) breaks up a Hail Mary pass intended for Tennessee wide receiver Travis Smith Jr. (1) on the last play of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is escorted into Neyland Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Texas, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Texas defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
President Donald Trump is displayed on the scoreboard as he attends the Tennessee-Texas NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)
