Kiri

The WeProtect 2024 Global Summit #FocusOnTheFuture comes at a critical moment for child safety

and protection online. More than 300 million children a year are estimated to be victims of online

sexual abuse and exploitation. On average, child abuse imagery is reported to watchdog and policing

organisations once every second. Rapidly changing technologies and internet use have significantly

exacerbated the serious problem of online sexual abuse and exploitation. Now is the time to act.

The fast-evolving nature of digital tools, means that counteracting these issues requires stronger

international collaboration, improved digital safety protocols, better user education and robust

enforcement mechanisms. In the 10 years since its foundation, WeProtect Global Alliance, an

independent charity focused on developing policies and solutions to protect children from sexual

exploitation and abuse online, has made significant progress but there is still so much to do.

This biennial Summit, co-hosted with the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, will

convene government ministers, business leaders, technology experts, academics, researchers and

child safety advocates to drive global, transformative change in ending child sexual exploitation and

abuse online. The two-day summit will take place on the 4-5 December 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

New research will be launched at the Summit on future scanning for emerging technology risks and

future trends to ensure we are prepared to prevent them being misused to harm children.

We will discuss the wave of new challenges the rapid development of artificial intelligence poses to

child safety, and how law enforcement is using it to tackle offenders.

Ministers from across the world will discuss progress in responding to child sexual exploitation and

abuse online at a country level and explore specific challenges facing the global majority. We will

also explore the future of regulation and the need for a coherent global framework.

Leaders from the Global Online Safety Regulators’ Network, UNICEF, the Council of Europe,

Microsoft, Snap Inc, INTERPOL and others will lead conversations you cannot afford to miss,

Survivors will share their perspectives on a different future, while young people’s voices will be heard

loudly through the #MyVoice#MyFuture campaign.

Venue: Erth Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Dates: 4-5 December 2024

General Summit enquiries: [email protected]

Please note this agenda is subject to change.

Day 1: Wednesday 4 December

09:00 – 10:00 Opening and welcome

10:00 – 10:30 Keynote address: A focus on the humanity, tech and the future

We are in one of the most transformative times in human history. Over the next decade

technology will evolve at a rapid rate, and new technological threats to children will

continue to emerge. The places where children learn, play and interact will become

increasingly borderless and the digital world an even bigger part of their lives. What

implications does this have? How can humanity respond to keeping children safe online

when technology is developing at such a rapid pace? What will the future look like for

children online and what role do we have to play in changing the future?

10 :30 - 11:15 New horizons: emerging trends shaping the future

What are the key emerging risks that could shape the future of child protection over the

next decade? WeProtect Global Alliance and Thorn will launch groundbreaking new

research on global emerging technological trends, followed by a panel with global experts

exploring proactive strategies to prevent child exploitation and abuse before harm occurs.

11.15 – 11:45 Refreshment break

11 :45 – 12 :45 Survivor perspectives: stepping up action for a safer future

Survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse will take centre stage, sharing their

personal stories, insights and visions to inspire a collective reimagining of how we

approach child protection, advocate for policy changes and empower others to take action

toward a safer, more compassionate world for children.

12 :45 – 13:45 Lunch and networking

13 :45 - 14 :45 Building the case for prevention

As child sexual abuse rates continue to grow, critical gaps in prevention and intervention

strategies remain. This session will explore perspectives to strengthen our collective

understanding and strategies for preventing abuse and make the case for continued

investment and innovation in creating safer futures for children through development of a

new global framework.

14 :45 – 15 :45 Exploring new trends and issues in depth

Breakout 1 : Tackling the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material

From modifying and distorting existing images to creating deepfakes, AI is fuelling a wave

of new challenges for child safety. This session features insights from law enforcement,

technology experts, governments and regulators on the latest trends in AI-driven abuse

and how they're addressing current and emerging risks to children online.

Breakout 2: Health and wellbeing: looking after frontline responders

WeProtect Global Alliance and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will present research on

the health, wellbeing and work impacts of responding to online child sexual exploitation

and abuse, including work-related risk and protective factors and recommendations to

enhance work practices, build resilience and improve staff retention.

Breakout 3 : Emerging risks and solutions: insights on the ground

Organisations from across the world will share key insights following a series of

consultations where they explored current and future issues and solutions. The sessions

provide a useful roadmap for opportunities to strengthen national, regional and

international collaboration.

Breakout 4: A roadmap for navigating the future of age assurance

Digital age assurance is a complex and sensitive issue, requiring a careful balancing of

rights and risks. This session will bring together insights from policy, regulatory, industry,

and civil society to share effective approaches and discuss how we can build a common

global framework for understanding the age of users.

15:45 – 16:15 Refreshment break

16:15 – 17:15 National perspectives and future commitments to combat exploitation and abuse

Governments will discuss their progress in tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse

online, outlining current challenges, sharing best practices and revealing their

commitments to future actions. This session will not only reflect on past and present

efforts but also focus on how countries plan to evolve and strengthen their strategies to

effectively combat exploitation and abuse in the digital age

17 :15 Close of Day 1

Day 2: Thursday 5 December

09:00 – 09:20 Keynote: Looking back, looking forward

Reflections on changes in child sexual exploitation and abuse and the key challenges ahead

09:20 – 10:00 Keynote: Hopes, reflections and creating a different future

As online risks continue to evolve, influential voices will share their visions, strategies,

and commitments to creating a safer digital world.

10:00 - 10:15 #MyVoice#MyFuture – youth film

Screening of a short film featuring voice of young people in two countries and their

perspectives on their concerns, digital rights and the future world they would like to see

online.

10:15 – 10:45 Refreshments and networking

10:45 – 11 :45 A focus on the future: practical applications

Breakout 1 : #MyVoice#MySay – participation in practice

Alliance members from across sectors will bring to life innovative child-centred case

studies and explore key standards and principles for ethical child and youth participation.

Breakout 2: Using AI in the fight against child sexual abuse

From clustering users on darknet forums to AI-driven analysis of support chats for

children, World Childhood Foundation will share insights on how society can use artificial

intelligence (AI) to advance the fight against child sexual abuse. Participants will gain

insights into the potential of leveraging AI to keep children safe, and inspiration on how to

engage in cross-sectoral collaborations.

Breakout 3 : How technology and new learning is shaping law enforcement

How is AI technology and new learning providing tools and opportunities for law

enforcement around the world? This session will feature four case studies from leading

law enforcement and academic professionals, highlighting the latest research and the

value of international collaboration across borders.

Breakout 4: Innovations and responding to future risks

As we continue to face new and emerging threats, we also need innovative ways to tackle

them. This session will feature innovations being developed to protect children online.

Praesidio Safeguarding will share work they have been doing with influencers in West

Africa and shed light on some of the protection gaps children face in Africa and Asia, and

the solutions needed to safeguard them in the future. They will be joined by two

technology organisations who will showcase their innovations in gaming and the work

they have been doing to make gaming experiences safer.

11 :45- 12 :30 Uniting for impact: national and transnational state collaboration

As technology continues to outpace traditional methods of investigation and prosecution,

governments and law enforcement agencies face growing challenges in combating online

child sexual abuse and exploitation. This session will explore actionable strategies on how

governments can strengthen legal frameworks, enhance international collaboration and

support proactive measures to address transnational crimes.

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and networking

13 :30 – 14 :30 Shifting safety on a regional scale

International cooperation and globally aligned approaches are essential for ensuring that

all children can explore the digital world without fear of abuse or violence. This panel will

bring together high-level representatives from regional bodies across the world to share

their respective and shared challenges, showcase successful initiatives and spark further

action at the national and international level.

14 :30 - 15 :30 The future of regulation

Can regulation keep pace with the rate of technological change? What’s on the horizon

and how can be join up global responses to close the gaps? What needs to be done to

support countries at the beginning of their regulatory journey? The session will look at key

emerging issues, the impact of current regulations on child safety, and discuss the need

for a coherent global framework with clear targets for the future.

15:30 – 16 :00 Refreshments and networking

16:00 – 16:30 Reframing the future: a new narrative

How we talk about child sexual exploitation and abuse online matters. Our words and

language can make the difference between salience and dismissal, between hope and

fatalism, between collective action and stepping back. How can the media, better

storytelling and stronger narrative frameworks help to change the story?

16 :30 – 17:00 Closing address

The WeProtect 2024 Global Summit #FocusOnTheFuture comes at a critical moment for child safety

and protection online. More than 300 million children a year are estimated to be victims of online

sexual abuse and exploitation. On average, child abuse imagery is reported to watchdog and policing

organisations once every second. Rapidly changing technologies and internet use have significantly

exacerbated the serious problem of online sexual abuse and exploitation. Now is the time to act.

The fast-evolving nature of digital tools, means that counteracting these issues requires stronger

international collaboration, improved digital safety protocols, better user education and robust

enforcement mechanisms. In the 10 years since its foundation, WeProtect Global Alliance, an

independent charity focused on developing policies and solutions to protect children from sexual

exploitation and abuse online, has made significant progress but there is still so much to do.

This biennial Summit, co-hosted with the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, will

convene government ministers, business leaders, technology experts, academics, researchers and

child safety advocates to drive global, transformative change in ending child sexual exploitation and

abuse online. The two-day summit will take place on the 4-5 December 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

New research will be launched at the Summit on future scanning for emerging technology risks and

future trends to ensure we are prepared to prevent them being misused to harm children.

We will discuss the wave of new challenges the rapid development of artificial intelligence poses to

child safety, and how law enforcement is using it to tackle offenders.

Ministers from across the world will discuss progress in responding to child sexual exploitation and

abuse online at a country level and explore specific challenges facing the global majority. We will

also explore the future of regulation and the need for a coherent global framework.

Leaders from the Global Online Safety Regulators’ Network, UNICEF, the Council of Europe,

Microsoft, Snap Inc, INTERPOL and others will lead conversations you cannot afford to miss,

Survivors will share their perspectives on a different future, while young people’s voices will be heard

loudly through the #MyVoice#MyFuture campaign.

Venue: Erth Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Dates: 4-5 December 2024

General Summit enquiries: [email protected]

Please note this agenda is subject to change.

Day 1: Wednesday 4 December

09:00 – 10:00 Opening and welcome

10:00 – 10:30 Keynote address: A focus on the humanity, tech and the future

We are in one of the most transformative times in human history. Over the next decade

technology will evolve at a rapid rate, and new technological threats to children will

continue to emerge. The places where children learn, play and interact will become

increasingly borderless and the digital world an even bigger part of their lives. What

implications does this have? How can humanity respond to keeping children safe online

when technology is developing at such a rapid pace? What will the future look like for

children online and what role do we have to play in changing the future?

10 :30 - 11:15 New horizons: emerging trends shaping the future

What are the key emerging risks that could shape the future of child protection over the

next decade? WeProtect Global Alliance and Thorn will launch groundbreaking new

research on global emerging technological trends, followed by a panel with global experts

exploring proactive strategies to prevent child exploitation and abuse before harm occurs.

11.15 – 11:45 Refreshment break

11 :45 – 12 :45 Survivor perspectives: stepping up action for a safer future

Survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse will take centre stage, sharing their

personal stories, insights and visions to inspire a collective reimagining of how we

approach child protection, advocate for policy changes and empower others to take action

toward a safer, more compassionate world for children.

12 :45 – 13:45 Lunch and networking

13 :45 - 14 :45 Building the case for prevention

As child sexual abuse rates continue to grow, critical gaps in prevention and intervention

strategies remain. This session will explore perspectives to strengthen our collective

understanding and strategies for preventing abuse and make the case for continued

investment and innovation in creating safer futures for children through development of a

new global framework.

14 :45 – 15 :45 Exploring new trends and issues in depth

Breakout 1 : Tackling the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material

From modifying and distorting existing images to creating deepfakes, AI is fuelling a wave

of new challenges for child safety. This session features insights from law enforcement,

technology experts, governments and regulators on the latest trends in AI-driven abuse

and how they're addressing current and emerging risks to children online.

Breakout 2: Health and wellbeing: looking after frontline responders

WeProtect Global Alliance and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will present research on

the health, wellbeing and work impacts of responding to online child sexual exploitation

and abuse, including work-related risk and protective factors and recommendations to

enhance work practices, build resilience and improve staff retention.

Breakout 3 : Emerging risks and solutions: insights on the ground

Organisations from across the world will share key insights following a series of

consultations where they explored current and future issues and solutions. The sessions

provide a useful roadmap for opportunities to strengthen national, regional and

international collaboration.

Breakout 4: A roadmap for navigating the future of age assurance

Digital age assurance is a complex and sensitive issue, requiring a careful balancing of

rights and risks. This session will bring together insights from policy, regulatory, industry,

and civil society to share effective approaches and discuss how we can build a common

global framework for understanding the age of users.

15:45 – 16:15 Refreshment break

16:15 – 17:15 National perspectives and future commitments to combat exploitation and abuse

Governments will discuss their progress in tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse

online, outlining current challenges, sharing best practices and revealing their

commitments to future actions. This session will not only reflect on past and present

efforts but also focus on how countries plan to evolve and strengthen their strategies to

effectively combat exploitation and abuse in the digital age

17 :15 Close of Day 1

Day 2: Thursday 5 December

09:00 – 09:20 Keynote: Looking back, looking forward

Reflections on changes in child sexual exploitation and abuse and the key challenges ahead

09:20 – 10:00 Keynote: Hopes, reflections and creating a different future

As online risks continue to evolve, influential voices will share their visions, strategies,

and commitments to creating a safer digital world.

10:00 - 10:15 #MyVoice#MyFuture – youth film

Screening of a short film featuring voice of young people in two countries and their

perspectives on their concerns, digital rights and the future world they would like to see

online.

10:15 – 10:45 Refreshments and networking

10:45 – 11 :45 A focus on the future: practical applications

Breakout 1 : #MyVoice#MySay – participation in practice

Alliance members from across sectors will bring to life innovative child-centred case

studies and explore key standards and principles for ethical child and youth participation.

Breakout 2: Using AI in the fight against child sexual abuse

From clustering users on darknet forums to AI-driven analysis of support chats for

children, World Childhood Foundation will share insights on how society can use artificial

intelligence (AI) to advance the fight against child sexual abuse. Participants will gain

insights into the potential of leveraging AI to keep children safe, and inspiration on how to

engage in cross-sectoral collaborations.

Breakout 3 : How technology and new learning is shaping law enforcement

How is AI technology and new learning providing tools and opportunities for law

enforcement around the world? This session will feature four case studies from leading

law enforcement and academic professionals, highlighting the latest research and the

value of international collaboration across borders.

Breakout 4: Innovations and responding to future risks

As we continue to face new and emerging threats, we also need innovative ways to tackle

them. This session will feature innovations being developed to protect children online.

Praesidio Safeguarding will share work they have been doing with influencers in West

Africa and shed light on some of the protection gaps children face in Africa and Asia, and

the solutions needed to safeguard them in the future. They will be joined by two

technology organisations who will showcase their innovations in gaming and the work

they have been doing to make gaming experiences safer.

11 :45- 12 :30 Uniting for impact: national and transnational state collaboration

As technology continues to outpace traditional methods of investigation and prosecution,

governments and law enforcement agencies face growing challenges in combating online

child sexual abuse and exploitation. This session will explore actionable strategies on how

governments can strengthen legal frameworks, enhance international collaboration and

support proactive measures to address transnational crimes.

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and networking

13 :30 – 14 :30 Shifting safety on a regional scale

International cooperation and globally aligned approaches are essential for ensuring that

all children can explore the digital world without fear of abuse or violence. This panel will

bring together high-level representatives from regional bodies across the world to share

their respective and shared challenges, showcase successful initiatives and spark further

action at the national and international level.

14 :30 - 15 :30 The future of regulation

Can regulation keep pace with the rate of technological change? What’s on the horizon

and how can be join up global responses to close the gaps? What needs to be done to

support countries at the beginning of their regulatory journey? The session will look at key

emerging issues, the impact of current regulations on child safety, and discuss the need

for a coherent global framework with clear targets for the future.

15:30 – 16 :00 Refreshments and networking

16:00 – 16:30 Reframing the future: a new narrative

How we talk about child sexual exploitation and abuse online matters. Our words and

language can make the difference between salience and dismissal, between hope and

fatalism, between collective action and stepping back. How can the media, better

storytelling and stronger narrative frameworks help to change the story?

16 :30 – 17:00 Closing address

1

Liisa-Ly Pakosta Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Republic of Estonia

INVITATION: WEPROTECT 2024 GLOBAL SUMMIT

Keeping future generations of children safe from

exploitation and abuse online Dear Minister, We are currently facing a global crisis. More than 300 million children a year are estimated to be victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation. It has never been more critical to drive global, transformative change to enable children to safely enjoy all the benefits of the digital world. On 4-5 December, WeProtect Global Alliance’s 2024 Global Summit, co-hosted by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, will take place in Abu Dhabi. The 2024 Global Summit is our collective opportunity, as global leaders and senior decision- makers, to create a different future for children online. WeProtect Global Alliance unites 102 governments, 76 private sector and technology companies, 121 civil society organizations, and 10 intergovernmental organizations in a collective mission to safeguard children in the digital age. Our biennial summit provides an opportunity to foster collaboration and candid conversations among Ministers, innovators, tech leaders, civil society organisations, policymakers, and emerging changemakers. Covering topics from future risks to prevention, emerging technology, AI, law enforcement, legislation, regulation and more, this year’s Summit will be thought-provoking and action-oriented, driving real change for future generations. We would cordially like to invite you to participate in the 2024 Global Summit as a testament to your Government’s ongoing leadership in child protection. We are eager to have a strong representation from Governments across the world and to hear your valuable insights. At the Summit, you will have the opportunity to: • Secure commitments from over 200 governments, private sector entities, and civil

society organisations to intensify their efforts against child sexual abuse. • Explore regional regulations and their impact on combating child sexual abuse, including

insights into upcoming regulation and legislation. • Engage in meaningful collaborations, exchange best practices, and enhance your

strategies for addressing child sexual abuse. • Hear directly from young people and survivors, whose powerful calls to action will help

shape future policy responses. We hope you will consider joining us in person or participate online via our virtual platform.

2

This event promises to be a pivotal moment in our collective fight against online child sexual abuse. If you are able to attend, we could be happy to explore speaking opportunities should you wish. A high level summary of the Summit agenda is attached for reference. It would be appreciated if you could please confirm your attendance or inability to attend by emailing [email protected] with the name of a contact person to liaise with. We will then provide these details to the Ministry of the Interior who will support your travel and accommodation and coordinate your visit in line with relevant official protocols. We do hope you will be able to join us in working together towards a safer world for all children. Yours sincerely

Iain Drennan Executive Director WeProtect Global Alliance

Lt. Col. Dana Humaid AlMarzooqi Director General, International Affairs Bureau UAE Ministry of Interior WeProtect Global Alliance Board Member

1

Liisa-Ly Pakosta Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Republic of Estonia

INVITATION: WEPROTECT 2024 GLOBAL SUMMIT

Keeping future generations of children safe from

exploitation and abuse online Dear Minister, We are currently facing a global crisis. More than 300 million children a year are estimated to be victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation. It has never been more critical to drive global, transformative change to enable children to safely enjoy all the benefits of the digital world. On 4-5 December, WeProtect Global Alliance’s 2024 Global Summit, co-hosted by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, will take place in Abu Dhabi. The 2024 Global Summit is our collective opportunity, as global leaders and senior decision- makers, to create a different future for children online. WeProtect Global Alliance unites 102 governments, 76 private sector and technology companies, 121 civil society organizations, and 10 intergovernmental organizations in a collective mission to safeguard children in the digital age. Our biennial summit provides an opportunity to foster collaboration and candid conversations among Ministers, innovators, tech leaders, civil society organisations, policymakers, and emerging changemakers. Covering topics from future risks to prevention, emerging technology, AI, law enforcement, legislation, regulation and more, this year’s Summit will be thought-provoking and action-oriented, driving real change for future generations. We would cordially like to invite you to participate in the 2024 Global Summit as a testament to your Government’s ongoing leadership in child protection. We are eager to have a strong representation from Governments across the world and to hear your valuable insights. At the Summit, you will have the opportunity to: • Secure commitments from over 200 governments, private sector entities, and civil

society organisations to intensify their efforts against child sexual abuse. • Explore regional regulations and their impact on combating child sexual abuse, including

insights into upcoming regulation and legislation. • Engage in meaningful collaborations, exchange best practices, and enhance your

strategies for addressing child sexual abuse. • Hear directly from young people and survivors, whose powerful calls to action will help

shape future policy responses. We hope you will consider joining us in person or participate online via our virtual platform.

2

This event promises to be a pivotal moment in our collective fight against online child sexual abuse. If you are able to attend, we could be happy to explore speaking opportunities should you wish. A high level summary of the Summit agenda is attached for reference. It would be appreciated if you could please confirm your attendance or inability to attend by emailing [email protected] with the name of a contact person to liaise with. We will then provide these details to the Ministry of the Interior who will support your travel and accommodation and coordinate your visit in line with relevant official protocols. We do hope you will be able to join us in working together towards a safer world for all children. Yours sincerely

Iain Drennan Executive Director WeProtect Global Alliance

Lt. Col. Dana Humaid AlMarzooqi Director General, International Affairs Bureau UAE Ministry of Interior WeProtect Global Alliance Board Member