The United Arab Emirates officially opened the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on 26 September, the first time the event has been held in the Middle East. According to Khaleej Times, more than 7,000 delegates from 110 countries are attending the week-long summit, presided over by UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi. To cope with the influx, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) instituted a fast-track accreditation visa valid for the duration of the congress plus a 10-day grace period. Dedicated immigration counters have been set up at both DXB and AUH, and congress participants can use priority lanes normally reserved for diplomatic passport holders. Abu Dhabi Police have introduced temporary road diversions around ADNEC between 07:00 and 20:00, while Etihad Airways has added extra shuttle buses from the Midfield check-in facilities to minimise curb-side congestion. Hoteliers report occupancy levels above 92 percent, with dynamic pricing pushing average daily rates to their highest since the Formula One Grand Prix. For multinational companies, the congress offers networking opportunities on cyber-crime compliance and cross-border data flows. However, travel managers should be mindful of heightened security screenings and allow additional time for airport arrival formalities, particularly for delegates carrying presentation equipment that may require customs declarations.
Source: Khaleej Times
