UNICRI and DTRA Convene Specialized Workshop in Turin to Strengthen Capacities to Investigate and Prosecute Proliferation Finance

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), with the support of the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), convened a specialized workshop titled "Strengthening Capacities to Investigate and Prosecute Proliferation Finance" on 14 May 2026 at UNICRI Headquarters in Turin, Italy.

The workshop brought together approximately 20 representatives from the United Arab Emirates, including prosecutors, judicial practitioners, customs officers, police officials and CBRN experts. The activity was delivered within the framework of UNICRI's Global Programme on Counter-Proliferation Finance, particularly its efforts to address illicit Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) proliferation pathways and related supply chain vulnerabilities in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East.

The event aimed to strengthen participants' understanding of proliferation financing (PF) mechanisms and illicit procurement networks, with particular attention to risks linked to global trade routes and the maritime domain, while enhancing their ability to investigate and prosecute proliferation financing (PF)-related offences within existing legal frameworks. Discussions focused on the nexus between finance, trade and security, emphasizing the importance of coordinated action among investigative, regulatory and judicial authorities.

Throughout the workshop, participants explored global and regional proliferation finance risk trends, common PF typologies and vulnerabilities in international supply chains. Sessions also examined the evolution of international counter-proliferation norms, including United Nations Security Council resolutions, targeted financial sanctions and export control measures, alongside practical reflections on the UAE national legal and institutional framework for countering proliferation financing.

Particular attention was devoted to operational and prosecutorial challenges associated with PF cases, including the use of financial intelligence, evidentiary standards, inter-agency coordination and international cooperation mechanisms such as mutual legal assistance and joint investigative teams. Participants also discussed the distinction between intelligence and admissible evidence and explored strategies to balance immediate disruption measures with long-term prosecutorial objectives.

A key feature of the workshop was a scenario-based exercise simulating a complex proliferation financing and sanctions evasion case involving suspicious trade activity, financial flows and procurement networks operating through front companies and transshipment hubs. Working in groups, participants assessed investigative priorities, prosecutorial strategies and legal considerations related to the disruption and prosecution of proliferation networks.

UNICRI expressed appreciation for the active engagement of the Emirati delegation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national and regional efforts to counter the financing of weapons of mass destruction proliferation. The workshop further strengthened cooperation between UNICRI, DTRA and UAE authorities, while contributing to enhanced capacities to detect, investigate and prosecute proliferation financing offences in the Gulf region.

About UNICRI's Global CBRN Counter-Proliferation Finance and Sanctions Evasion Programme

Thanks to the generous support of the United States' Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), UNICRI has launched the United Nations' first global programme on CBRN counter-proliferation financing and sanctions evasion. Through capacity-building activities, the programme aims to effectively disrupt the financing of illicit WMDs, thereby significantly reducing proliferation threats on a global scale. The project or effort depicted herein is sponsored by the United States Department of Defense.

The information provided does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Federal Government of the United States, and no official endorsement should be inferred.