The Fifth Virtual Global Taskforce Conference, organized by the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of the Interior, concluded his sessions. The Conference, organized under the theme "International cooperation, a tool to enable Prevention", aims to combat online child sexual abuse,
In a speech on the occasion, Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Head of the Higher Committee on Child Protection and UAE representative on the VGT Board of Management stated: “The vision of HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stems from the “UAE 2021 vision”. It aims to make the UAE a humanitarian hub and a role model in child protection. For this end, the UAE officially joined the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) in 2010, as a tool to enable improving capacities and necessary police technical skills, to curb online child sexual abuse and keep our beloved country safe from this type of crimes”.
He added: “The Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with all federal or local ministries and authorities related to child protection, endeavored to achieve the goals and aspirations of our leadership, as part of the Higher Committee for Child Protection. This involves full commitment to maintain safety of children in the UAE, through a multi-level perspective and main topics focused on legislation and Internet. It also stresses the need to monitor any individual who poses a threat to children and to increase community awareness in all areas of child protections”.
He indicated that what the work and initiatives achieved come in line with the integrated project to protect children in the state, namely; the workshop on legislation and child protection, in collaboration with entities in charge of the Johns Hopkins University “Hemaya” program and the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children. As part of the workshop, the legislation project model was reviewed, including legislation from 65 countries.
He pointed out that the Child Protection Center at the Ministry of Interior had organized, in collaboration with the Canadian Police Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, a two-week joint drill, with the participation of the various police GHQs in the state. The drill aims to control and monitor child online sexual abusers through the "P2P", and contributes to share knowledge and exchange modern experiences and best practices.
“The Fifth VGT Conference held in Abu Dhabi reaffirms that the UAE will remain a pioneer in maintaining child safety and security around the world, and a leading state in the area of child protection.
For his part, Lt. Colonel Faisal Mohammed Al Shammari, Director of MoI Child Protection Center, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, explained that the Conference was an opportunity to bring together specialists and professionals, as well as police officers and law enforcement officers to study and review the best relevant experiences and practices. The conference also covered, alongside police and technical aspects, the reporting and blocking mechanisms, as well as relevant legislation. Moreover, he pointed out that this reflects the leading role of the State, to achieve the vision of HH the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, as per the directives and follow-up of the Secretary General of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; which was praised by all participating delegations.
In his address, he extended his thanks and appreciation to all participants and speakers in the Conference, hoping that it added to their knowledge and expertise, and achieved its desired objectives. Finally, he wished everyone the best of luck and success.