Vietnam's Hanoi Hosts Signing Ceremony of UN Cybercrime Convention

HANOI, Oct 25 (Bernama-VNA) -- The signing ceremony and high-level conference of the United Nations (UN) Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Hanoi Convention, were held at the National Convention Centre under the theme “Countering Cybercrime – Sharing Responsibility – Securing Our Future.”

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong chaired the ceremony, which was attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and high-level representatives from about 110 countries, UN agencies, regional organisations, financial institutions, and experts in cybersecurity and international law, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Before the opening session, Cuong chaired an official welcome ceremony and joined heads of delegations for a group photo.

He and the delegates also toured a photo exhibition organised by the VNA, showcasing Vietnam’s people, development achievements and contributions to the UN.

Cuong and Guterres were scheduled to deliver opening speeches before representatives from 60 countries took part in the signing ceremony, managed by the UN Office for Legal Affairs.

Initiated by the UN in 2019, the convention was developed in response to the urgent need for a global legal framework to address challenges in cybersecurity, non-traditional security, climate change and sustainable development.

After five years of negotiations, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the convention by consensus on Dec 24, 2024.

Comprising nine chapters and 71 articles, the Hanoi Convention provides a comprehensive framework to prevent and combat cybercrime while upholding human rights principles.

It also aims to enhance international cooperation and adapt legal tools to meet the demands of the digital era.

-- BERNAMA-VNA