An International Day of Police Cooperation Event
On 9 September 2025, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing (IATF-P), with the support of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in partnership with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) convened an event to mark the International Day of Police Cooperation. The gathering, which was hosted at the Permanent Mission of Finland, offered a timely opportunity to reflect on the future of policing and how policing is evolving in response to growing complexity, rapid technological change, and increasing public expectations around trust, legitimacy and justice.
Law enforcement institutions around the world are navigating a moment of profound transformation. From rising levels of transnational crime to calls for more responsive and rights-based public security, the demands placed on police services have never been higher. Against this backdrop, artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies are becoming more integrated into policing efforts, supporting everything from investigations to crime pattern analysis. But while innovation holds promise, technology alone is not a solution. The future of policing also depends on strengthening community trust, investing in better training, and ensuring that institutions can both modernize and uphold the principles of fairness, accountability and service.
The event, titled "Policing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," explored how police institutions can adapt to AI, while remaining anchored in their core mission to serve and protect. Discussions took place across two sessions, focusing on how to reinforce institutions in both established and emerging areas of policing. Participants will share experiences, review good practices, and examine policy approaches that support more effective and resilient policing systems.
The event also marked the continued commitment of the United Nations system to strengthening global cooperation on policing. The International Day of Police Cooperation was established by the General Assembly in 2022 and is observed each year on 7 September. Its first observance in 2023 commemorated the 100th anniversary of INTERPOL’s founding and underscored the vital role of police in ensuring security worldwide. It is also closely aligned with the vision of the Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, which calls for more agile and cooperative responses to global threats, including organized crime.
Within the UN system, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing plays a central role in advancing coherent and rights-based approaches to public safety. Established in 2021 and co-chaired by the Department of Peace Operations and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Task Force brings together 16 UN entities working on policing-related issues. It promotes strategic alignment, fosters dialogue with external actors, and supports efforts to rebuild the social contract between police institutions and the communities they serve.
For more information please contact UNICRI’s New York Liaison Office: unicri.nyoffice(at)un.org