ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, November 11th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates will officially assume the duties of chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) following the unanimous selection of the UAE Ministry of Interior as the next chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), taking over from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE). Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, was unanimously selected as the new VGT chairperson and will assume the duties of chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private sector partners dedicated to combating online child sexual abuse for the next three years (2015-2018).

The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private sector partners dedicated to combating online child sexual abuse. The appointment of the UAE to chair this prestigious taskforce for the next three years is testament from member countries and law enforcement agencies to the efficient efforts, competence and civilized values of the UAE police reflects recognition from member states and international police institutions for the efficiency of the UAE police and its cultural approaches.

It also recognizes the humanitarian and professional efforts exerted by the Ministry of Interior in this aspect, which personify the wise directives of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and his tireless commitment to emphasize the importance of joint international action to ensure a decent safe and secure life to all children, who are the builders of the future in a crime and risk-free world.

Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi said: “Winning the bid to chair this prestigious alliance and host its conferences clearly demonstrates the prestigious international stature and honorable reputation of the UAE society, and the leadership’s commitment to establish the UAE as a center of excellence in the field of child protection and enhance children’s awareness regarding the dangers of modern technologies. He said: “It is our responsibility to make the Internet a safer place for children. To this end, we rely on Allah’s help and cooperation of all decent people around the world to help us achieve this noble humanitarian mission.”

Major General Al Nuaimi also noted that the VGT will continue to draw on its successes to further expand its membership, and drive forward leading activities and programs against child abuse. It will also continue mobilizing the world, the public opinion as well as awareness-raising religious and civil institutions, in a bid to reinforce concerted efforts in the field child protection against all forms of abuse.  Moreover, he praised the achievements of the current chair and the different members of VGT and commended the collaborative efforts of member countries to protect children. “Since its inception in 2003, the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) has significantly changed the way in which countries work together to protect children. The dismantling of global pedophile networks, the coordination of covert internet investigations, the sharing and developing of intelligence are among the global activities of the VGT in recent years, as well as other procedures to highlight global child abuse cases and protect children against abuse,” he said.  

During the meeting of the Virtual Global Taskforce that will be held on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, Major General Al Nuaimi will assume the duties of chair from Ian M. Quinn, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) for the Investigative Services Division and the Cyber Crimes Center (C3) within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The UAE was voted unanimously, in recognition of the significant tireless efforts and extensive activities carried out by the UAE Ministry of Interior, and aimed at strengthening international cooperation and coordination to protect children and prevent and respond to child sexual exploitation.

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, officially became a member of the VGT in May 2010, by inking accession documents to VGT. Under the agreement, the UAE will be legally bound to realize the VGT objectives seeking to make the Internet a safer place; identify, locate and help children at risk of sexual exploitation.

The VGT law enforcement member agencies, including its only Arab member, the UAE, include the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (Canadian Mounted Police); the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (UK); the INTERPOL; the EUROPOL, the law enforcement agency of the European Union; the Australian Federal Police (AFP); Italian Postal and Communication Police Service; New Zealand Police; the  Korean National Police Agency (KNPA); the Dutch National Police (DNP); the Cybercrime Coordination Unit Switzerland (CYCO) and the National Police of Colombia, among others.

For more information about:

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Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com