Messages
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations's message 2025
Information and Communication Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Policing
The success of United Nations peacekeeping depends upon our agility and adaptability. Throughout our 75-plus years of existence, every innovation – from smartphones and high-speed internet to forensic science, satellite imagery and drones – has enabled us to deliver greater impact on the ground but also increased our exposure to terrorists and other organized cyber criminals. Sensing technologies have proven essential in overcoming access restrictions, enabling peacekeeping operations to document ceasefire violations and monitor protection concerns. Artificial intelligence is the newest frontier offering great promise, but also potentially peril, for our personnel, partners and communities.
On this International Day of Police Cooperation, the commemoration of which is led by the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing (co-chaired by the UN Department of Peace Operations and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime), we welcome the opportunity to highlight the many benefits of technological advancements while acknowledging the need to work together to mitigate potential risks and preserve human rights-based policing.
Our Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN peacekeeping exemplifies how technological integration contributes to enhancing mandate delivery. We are already seeing how these tools help police components plan and respond, thus achieving greater impact in the field. The Situational Awareness Geospatial Enterprise (SAGE) platform integrates geospatial data, social media feeds and field sensor inputs to detect emerging threats, facilitate proactive deployments and enhance the efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance. Concurrently, the Unite Aware platform is an integrated approach to situational awareness and information analysis for UN peacekeeping, incorporating the SAGE database with patrol planning, maps and real-time dashboards.
The Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System (CPAS) supports our missions, including police components, in evaluating these efforts and improving their efficacy. Our Standing Police Capacity has supported the development of a mission-specific monitoring and evaluation system that centralizes UN police components’ data, streamlining reporting through Business Intelligence dashboards; enhancing real-time analysis and presentation of operational data; and supporting planning through timely insight into performance indicators.
Together, these efforts reflect a broader shift toward more data-informed policing. But the development of any technology is only half the challenge Many police components operate with limited connectivity, fragmented systems and too few dedicated data specialists. Addressing these gaps will require an approach that builds mission readiness, expands digital literacy and ensures responsible and effective use of technology in the field.
As we mark the International Day of Police Cooperation, we reaffirm that no single actor can meet these challenges alone - which is why the Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing is central to this collective endeavor. Policing in the digital age depends on deeper cooperation across Member States, regional police organizations and international partners. We wish to thank all those who contribute for their commitment towards modern and effective policing in the service of peace.
Jean-Pierre Fran?ois Renaud Lacroix
Policing in the digital age depends on deeper cooperation across Member States, regional police organizations and international partners. "
Jean-Pierre Fran?ois Renaud Lacroix
Under-Secretary-General,
Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's message 2025
Digital technologies are changing the nature and process of police operations around the world. Tools like artificial intelligence hold promise for enhanced capabilities in the prevention, identification, investigation, and prosecution of crime.
At the same time, these tools must be used responsibly and transparently to avoid risks of inaccuracy, bias, excessive surveillance, and an erosion of public trust in law enforcement institutions.
At UNODC, we recognize that public trust is fundamental to effective policing. Communities must know that public safety does not come at the cost of their rights and freedoms. It is essential, therefore, that this digital transformation we are witnessing is guided by effective transparency, oversight, and accountability.
Technology is a powerful tool for policing, and it should support policing that prioritizes people. When they are grounded in ethics, fairness, and justice, digital advancements can empower police to better serve their communities. Through partnerships, training, and policy support, UNODC supports Member States in leveraging technology in ways that uphold these principles. As we mark the International Day of Police Cooperation, let us strive to build policing systems that are smart, safe, effective, transparent and accountable to the communities they serve.
Ghada Fathy Ismail Waly
Technology is a powerful tool for policing, and it should support policing that prioritizes people. When they are grounded in ethics, fairness, and justice, digital advancements can empower police to better serve their communities."
Ghada Fathy Ismail Waly
Executive Director,
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous's statment 2025
Coming soon.
United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute's Statements 2025
“As the challenges facing law enforcement evolve, so too must our vision for how we police — and, indeed, what defines good policing. On this International Day of Police Cooperation, UNICRI reaffirms its commitment to advancing just, fair, and equitable criminal justice systems through approaches grounded in trust, guided by evidence, and informed by research. We will continue to support policing that is not only innovative and effective, but firmly anchored in a human rights-based approach.”Quote from Leif Villadsen, Acting Director of UNICRI
“The International Day of Police Cooperation is an occasion to reflect not only on how policing is evolving, but on the values that must guide that evolution. AI has already begun to reshape how law enforcement agencies prevent crime, investigate threats, and protect communities. But innovation must be matched with responsibility. UNICRI and INTERPOL developed the Toolkit for Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement — a practical resource to help ensure AI is used in ways that are transparent, accountable, and grounded in human rights. This is our contribution to the community and we will continue to provide our support to agencies around the world as they step forward into the future of policing.”Quote from Irakli Beridze, Head of Centre for AI and Robotics, UNICRI
Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov's Message 2025
On this International Day of Police Cooperation, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) underscores the crucial role of law enforcement in preventing and countering terrorism.
Confronting this threat demands strong partnerships, coordinated action, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
Law enforcement agencies are at the forefront of efforts to protect communities from terrorism. Their integrity, accountability, and public trust are essential to building safer and more resilient societies.
This year’s theme, “Informational and Communication technology and AI in Policing”, is both timely and important. Through its technology-focused programmes, UNOCT works alongside Member States to equip law enforcement with the tools and skills needed to address evolving terrorism threats. Our Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies supports countries across the globe in addressing the misuse of cyberspace, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies by terrorist actors. Through initiatives such as CT TECH and its successor CT TECH+, implemented together with INTERPOL, we provide specialized training to law enforcement agencies on threat assessment, policy development, open-source intelligence, and the responsible use of AI in counter-terrorism operations.
UNOCT also promotes international and regional cooperation and information sharing among law enforcement agencies. For example, in 2024, the Office has trained over 285 law enforcement and security officials from 22 African Member States through 17 multilingual courses. These capacity-building efforts are delivered in close collaboration with CTED, UN Police, UNODC, and other UN entities.
As we honor the dedication and courage of law enforcement professionals worldwide today, we also acknowledge their indispensable contributions to global peace and security and reaffirm our commitment to working together for a future free from terrorism.
Vladimir Voronkov
This year’s theme, “Informational and Communication technology and AI in Policing”, is both timely and important. Through its technology-focused programmes, UNOCT works alongside Member States to equip law enforcement with the tools and skills needed to address evolving terrorism threats."
Vladimir Voronkov
Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
