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“Our message is clear: we stand with Ukraine. We stand for justice,” Ambassador Mickus said.

 

In its statement, Lithuania reaffirmed its firm support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s aggression. The Ambassador noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine not only causes immense human suffering but also creates wider, long-term security risks. Armed conflicts and instability provide fertile ground for trafficking in persons and arms, corruption, illicit financial flows and other forms of transnational organised crime.

 

“Today, we can no longer consider crime prevention in isolation from broader questions of security and resilience. We must strengthen our ability to identify and disrupt the links between organised crime, hybrid activities and other emerging threats,” Ambassador Mickus emphasised.

 

Lithuania also drew attention to challenges observed in the Baltic region: the instrumentalisation of migration, airspace violations, threats to critical infrastructure, GPS signal interference, false bomb threats and information manipulation. The statement noted that the expertise, infrastructure and illicit services of criminal networks can be used for broader destabilisation efforts.

 

The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is taking place in Abu Dhabi from 26 September to 1 October. Held every five years, it is a high-level UN forum that helps shape international approaches to crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law. This year’s Congress brings together representatives from more than 97 countries, including over 32 ministers of justice and interior, as well as senior officials, judges, prosecutors, representatives of international organisations and civil society, and experts.