PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME
The Conference Programme will be regularly updated with further details in due course.
DOWNLOAD PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
CALL FOR SPEAKERS
The Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore invites proposals from IAP members who are interested in giving a presentation during a Plenary Session or Workshop at the conference to submit an abstract for consideration by the Professional Programme Committee for inclusion in the programme of the 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors.
CONFERENCE THEME
THE VERSATILE PROSECUTOR AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The criminal justice landscape is constantly evolving. As criminals continue to exploit technology and innovation to commit and conceal their crimes, it is the versatile prosecutor who will bring them to justice. To this end, the versatile prosecutor scans the horizon for emerging crime trends, develops deep specialist expertise and cross-cutting capabilities, adapts to the use of technology effectively and strengthens global networks to improve international cooperation.
Organised criminal syndicates continue to circumvent concerted efforts by law enforcement authorities, governments, the financial sector and the private sector to further their illicit activities, and to exploit legal and procedural loopholes to conceal their assets and evade detection. Parties in the criminal justice sphere are in a never-ending race to identify new crime trends and stay ahead of the curve in terms of prevention, detection and prosecution.
PLENARY AND WORKSHOP SESSIONS (ONE)
Plenary Session One: Turning the Tables on New Forms of Crime
The novel and creative ways in which criminals exploit new technology know no boundaries. Whilst technology and globalisation have facilitated trade and contributed to a thriving global economy, criminal syndicates have relied on the same to achieve their nefarious goals.
This plenary session will explore the use of new technology in the commission and prosecution of crimes. It will examine the ways in which criminals exploit new technologies and AI to facilitate the commission of both traditional and newly emerging types of crime. It will also consider how law enforcement and prosecution agencies use new technology to investigate and prosecute crimes effectively.
The workshop sessions will then discuss the use of new technology in the courtroom.
Workshop One will be divided into two sessions covering:
A) Technological advancements and the presentation of evidence. The digital transformation of the courts and prosecution offices has the potential to revolutionise and streamline the preparation of cases and the conduct of trials. This session will explore how technological advancements (including AI) can be used to enhance the management of cases, and to effectively present and explain complex, voluminous data clearly and concisely to a tribunal of fact, through both data visualisation and informational processing. Prosecutors may wish to present on technological advancements in their jurisdictions which have changed the conduct of criminal cases for the better – for example, the use of virtual courtrooms, remote proceedings, digital jury bundles, and digital case management systems.
B) Obtaining and using expert digital evidence. As law enforcement agencies ramp up the use of technology in the detection of criminal activity, this also generates new types of digital evidence with which prosecutors must familiarise themselves and which will need to be adduced through the use of experts. Prosecutors must recognise the potential admissibility and reliability challenges that may be raised and understand how to address them, and recognise how to use AI within the criminal justice system responsibly. They must also understand the interplay between the obtaining and use of digital evidence, human rights, and data privacy considerations. Prosecutors presenting in this workshop may wish to focus on technological advancements in their jurisdiction which have impacted the way such evidence is collected, analysed, and used.
PLENARY AND WORKSHOP SESSIONS (TWO)
Plenary Session Two: Strengthening international cooperation – Best practices and innovative approaches to tackle barriers to effective international cooperation
With criminals utilising advanced technologies to carry out and conceal transnational offences, the detection and prosecution of such crimes must similarly become increasingly sophisticated. International cooperation is, more than ever before, an important dimension of the fight against such crimes. From the uncovering of criminal activity to the seizure of proceeds of crime, cooperation and collaboration between different jurisdictions is crucial to the effective investigation and prosecution of any case.
This plenary session will share current best practices in international cooperation and discuss new avenues to address ongoing challenges. Some challenges are perennial, such as the differences in legal / judicial systems, processes and standards, language barriers and the impact of political and socio-economic factors, whereas other challenges, such as the volume of digital evidence, are new. This session will consider how we can revitalise cooperation between States in a digital age, how AI and technology can improve international cooperation, and will seek to identify solutions to some of the challenges that are faced in tackling criminal activity that spans borders.
The workshop sessions will then share practical examples of international cooperation in the arena of cybercrime and the identification and recovery of the proceeds of crime.
Workshop Two will be divided into two sessions covering:
A) Asset tracing and seizure. Identifying and seizing criminal assets is crucial as a mechanism to disrupt criminal enterprises, send a message of deterrence, enable funds to be available to compensate victims of crime, and to tackle corruption and organised crime. This session will cover how countries can work together to identify, freeze, and seize assets (including cryptocurrency) quickly and effectively.
B) International cooperation to tackle cyber offences – Practical examples. Cybercrime is borderless, and so it is essential to share intelligence, evidence and best practice across jurisdictions to track, arrest and prosecute cybercriminals more effectively. This session will focus on the prosecution of cybercrime and how the current best practices in international cooperation can be developed to meet the unique challenges such crimes pose to prosecution agencies.
PLENARY AND WORKSHOP SESSIONS (THREE)
Plenary Three: Future-proofing prosecutors
Increasingly, prosecutors are expected to have a degree of professional expertise in multiple non-legal fields, such as forensic accounting, forensic data extraction, psychology, pathology, and criminology. Transnational organised crime also presents unique challenges to the prosecutor, who has to adapt his or her case strategy to the available evidence.
This plenary session will examine the need for specialist expertise and cross-cutting capabilities, including in relation to skills development, the use of specialist prosecution teams, multi-agency working and emerging areas of specialism.
- Future proofing enforcement and prosecution efforts requires significant resources and strong leadership. Resources are needed to upskill investigators and prosecutors to detect new crimes, and to understand the criminals’ modus operandi and prosecute them. Prosecutors must be more adept at supporting vulnerable witnesses, enabling them to give their best evidence, and prosecution services must develop innovative approaches to ensure that forward-looking strategies are in place and are balanced appropriately with other competing needs.
The workshop sessions will then discuss practical tips for bringing future-proofing to the individual level.
Workshop Three will be divided into two sessions covering:
A) Legal education and training. As workloads increase, there is a risk that the professional development of prosecutors is deprioritised. However, given the ever-changing criminal landscape, it is vital that prosecutors remain abreast of legal and technological developments. This session will consider different training techniques to future-proof prosecutors, including the use of online education tools and different pedagogical techniques for legal education, and the attendant challenges including a lack of resources, workload, and a rapidly changing legal landscape. The session will brainstorm potential solutions to these challenges, ensuring that prosecutors’ knowledge remains up-to-date.
B) Mental Wellness and Resilience. As well as ensuring that prosecutors have the necessary skills and tools for their role, it is also vital to ensure that their mental wellbeing and resilience is protected. Increasing caseloads, limited resources, and exposure to distressing evidence can all impact on the mental wellness of prosecutors, with negative consequences for their own health and for their ability to carry out their functions. - This session will examine the importance of prioritising the mental wellbeing of prosecutors, and consider mechanisms that can be put in place to mitigate the risks associated with stress and burnout.
SOCIAL NIGHT PROGRAMME
Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception
| Date | Sunday, 7 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 18:30 - 19:30 hrs (Opening and 1st Award Ceremony) 19:30 - 21:30 hrs (Drinks/Finger food) |
| Venue | The Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore |
| Dress Code | Business attire / National dress |
Gala Dinner
| Date | Monday, 8 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 19:30 - 22:30 hrs |
| Venue | Gardens by the Bay, Flower Field Hall |
| Dress Code | Business attire / National dress |
The Gala Dinner will be held at the Flower Field Hall in Gardens by the Bay. Set within the picturesque Flower Dome, the Flower Field Hall in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay offers full views of the perpetual blooms at Flower Field on one end and a spectacular panorama of the Marina Bay skyline on the other. Specially programmed LED lights illuminate the hall with different colours of the rainbow, adding to the enchanting setting for the Gala Dinner.
Distance from Shangri-La Hotel: 8.6 km
Professional Networking Night
| Date | Tuesday 9 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 18:15 - 20:15 |
| Venue | Asian Civilisations Museum, River Room and Terrace |
| Dress Code | Business attire/National dress |
The Professional Networking Night will be held at the Asian Civilisations Museum, River Room and Terrace. At the River Terrace of the Asian Civilisations Museum, guests can enjoy a relaxing outdoor cocktail while taking in stunning views of the Singapore River, Boat Quay, and Central Business District. Completed in 1867, this neoclassical-style building has a storied past, having housed government offices both during colonial times and in post-independence Singapore.
Distance from Shangri-La Hotel: 5 km
Farewell Reception
| Date | Wednesday, 10 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 20:00 - 23:00 |
| Venue | Clifford Pier |
| Dress Code | Smart casual/National dress |
The Farewell Reception will be hosted at the Clifford Pier. Occupying the former landing point of Singapore’s forefathers, the Clifford Pier is a heritage site that exudes timeless elegance of bygone eras past. With its grand arches, graceful chandeliers and Art Deco-style architecture, it offers an extraordinary setting for the farewell reception.
Distance from Shangri-La Hotel: 5.3 km
PARTNERS PROGRAMME
The conference host has decided to provide a full spouse/partner programme during the 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors. The programme will comprise two half-day tours on Monday 8 September 2024 (10:00—12:30) and on Tuesday 9 September 2025 (10:00—12:30).
Spouses/partners signing up for this programme will also be entitled to attend the following night events:
- Welcome Reception (Sunday 7 September 2025)
- Gala Dinner (Monday 8 September 2025)
- Farewell Reception (Wednesday, 10 September 2025)
More details about the partners programme on 8 and 9 September will be shared at a later date. Stay tuned for more updates