The adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice reinforces the need for coordinated international action against evolving and transnational forms of crime.
Among its commitments, the Declaration specifically addresses the prevention and combating of falsified medical products. It calls on States to strengthen domestic legal frameworks, promote cooperation across relevant sectors and enhance the capacities of border and customs authorities.
These commitments are closely aligned with the objectives of the MEDICRIME Convention, the only criminal law treaty specifically addressing the falsification of medical products and other similar crimes involving threats to public health. The Convention provides States with a comprehensive legal framework for criminalising relevant conducts and strengthening cooperation between health, law enforcement, judicial, customs and other relevant authorities.
The increasingly transnational nature of the trafficking of falsified medical products requires effective international cooperation and coordinated action. The MEDICRIME Convention supports this approach by promoting cooperation between the authorities involved in preventing, investigating and prosecuting these offences.
In this context, the MEDICRIME Committee works closely with international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which has observer status with the Committee. This cooperation fosters synergies and coordinated approaches in the fight against falsified medical products.
The Abu Dhabi Declaration therefore further reinforces international recognition of the need for a coordinated and multidisciplinary response to falsified medical products. It also creates renewed momentum for translating these commitments into practical action, building on existing international instruments and cooperation mechanisms.
The MEDICRIME Convention stands ready to contribute to these efforts and to support States in strengthening their legal and operational responses to the falsification of medical products.
