Saif bin Zayed inaugurates 4th edition of World Police Summit

Sharjah 24

14-05-2025

The summit is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The opening ceremony was also attended by global police leaders, international experts, and key decision-makers in the security sector to address global challenges and exchange best practices.
Organised by Dubai Police in partnership with DXB Live, the three-day summit is held under the theme 'Envisioning the Future of Policing'. It brings together over 300 speakers and experts from around the world, representing more than 100 countries, global law enforcement agencies, and over 200 specialised security and technology companies.
During the opening ceremony, Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, delivered the welcome address, expressing his honour in hosting the summit and extending a warm welcome to international delegations.
Al Marri noted the rise of transnational crime and the increasing threat of cybercrime, including AI-powered scams, dark web activity, and digital fraud. He referenced INTERPOL reports that revealed over 100 billion stolen personal and financial records were traded on the dark web in 2024 alone, a 42 percent increase from the previous year. Ransomware attacks accounted for roughly 25 percent of global cyber insurance claims.
He also emphasised Dubai Police's commitment to sharing its experience in integrating policing with cutting-edge technology, highlighting global initiatives such as the International Anti-Narcotics Forum, Anti-Fraud Forum, UAE SWAT Challenge, and the Police Innovation and Leadership (PIL) Diploma. These events collectively attracted participation from 110 countries, showcasing the UAE's leadership in fostering global security partnerships.
Al Marri concluded by affirming that community safety is a shared responsibility requiring cross-border cooperation, and he expressed hope that the summit would produce actionable recommendations to shape a safer, more prosperous future.
Following his address, a short film was screened highlighting the achievements of the sixth edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge, which earned a Guinness World Record for the highest number of participating countries in a tactical competition with over 100 teams taking part.
In his keynote speech, John Romero, renowned video game designer and co-creator of Doom, shed light on cybercrime's impact on the gaming industry. He revealed that the sector loses an estimated US$29 billion annually due to cheating and illegal hacking. Companies have invested around $13.5 billion in anti-cheat technologies, while black-market activities generate $50 million in illicit revenue.
Romero outlined how hackers exploit game systems through unfair advantages like auto-aiming and in-game speed hacks, and how designers now use AI and behavioural analytics to detect anomalies, flag cheaters, and secure game environments.
He stressed that just as hackers use advanced tech to exploit games, developers are harnessing those same tools, including machine learning, to maintain fair, safe, and trustworthy gaming ecosystems.
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which showcases the latest innovations and technologies across multiple domains, including cybercrime investigation, forensic science, artificial intelligence, airport security, drone systems, smart mobility, narcotics control, and digital policing readiness.
The summit continues over the next two days with high-level discussions, workshops, and networking sessions aimed at shaping the future of global policing and strengthening international cooperation.