Abu Dhabi Declaration, Canada Strategic Autonomy and Gulf Security at UNGA

Member States adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration by acclamation on September 26 at the opening of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The framework addresses cybercrime, fraud, organised crime and the growing criminal exploitation of digital services, infrastructure and emerging technologies.

The declaration also supports greater use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in justice systems while calling for safeguards including human oversight, transparency, due process and data protection. UNODC is to support implementation, including through the voluntary Pledge4Justice initiative for concrete and time-bound national actions through 2031.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand used Canada’s September 26 national statement to the UN General Assembly to describe the international order as undergoing a rupture and to set out a strategy of greater strategic autonomy, economic and diplomatic diversification, and issue-based coalitions among small states, middle powers and major powers.

The statement linked that approach to stronger Canadian capabilities in emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence production and energy. Anand also highlighted the Partners for Multilateralism initiative, Arctic security, support for Ukraine, responsible artificial intelligence, maritime security and Canada’s effort to diversify relationships across Europe, the Indo-Pacific, the Gulf, Africa and Latin America.

Vice President Han Zheng told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that China supported the UN-centred international system and called for disputes to be managed through dialogue, stronger representation for the Global South and reform that strengthens rather than simply reduces UN bodies and mandates.

Han also defended the WTO-centred trading system, rejected protectionism and called for people-centred artificial intelligence that narrows the digital divide. On development, he pointed to the Global Development Initiative and called for greater attention to poverty reduction, food security and energy transition.

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that conflict and geopolitical pressure were imposing costs on countries far from the battlefield and argued that finance, market access, supply chains and technology were increasingly being used as instruments of competition and coercion.

India linked that environment to growing emphasis on de-risking and diversification and highlighted the burden on the Global South from food, fuel, fertiliser and financing shocks. Jaishankar also called for uninterrupted energy and commercial flows through Gulf waterways, a two-state solution in the Middle East and adjustment of global institutions to a more multipolar distribution of power.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that the security of the Gulf was inseparable from international stability, global energy security, trade and supply chains. He highlighted the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as vital international waterways.

Saudi Arabia called for freedom of navigation and for conditions in Hormuz to return to those prevailing before February 28 without additional fees or restrictions. The minister also backed regional de-escalation, a region free of weapons of mass destruction and an energy transition that combines security of supply with climate objectives.

The Agreement between Japan and Paraguay for the Promotion and Protection of Investment entered into force on September 26 after both governments completed the required domestic procedures. The agreement had been signed on December 5, 2025.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement establishes comprehensive rules for the promotion and protection of bilateral investment and is intended to support greater investment flows and broader economic relations between the two countries.