The use of technology by criminals is becoming an increasingly common trend every year. UN Convention against Cybercrime opens for signature in Hanoi International Law
The world’s first international convention to prevent, prevent and combat cybercrime opened for signature today in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Once signed, each state must still ratify it in accordance with its own processes.
“The UN Convention against Cybercrime is a powerful, legally binding instrument designed to strengthen our collective defense against cybercrime,” noted UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the signing ceremony. “This is a testament to the enduring power of multilateralism in finding solutions. And this is a promise that no country, regardless of level of development, will remain defenseless in the face of cybercrime,” he added.
The Convention against Cybercrime should help countries counter the growing threat of cybercrime as the misuse of information and communications technologies contributes to crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking, financial crimes and drug smuggling.
The purpose of the convention is to improve the effectiveness of measures to prevent cybercrime by strengthening international cooperation in this area and promoting capacity-building, especially in developing countries.
Main provisions of the Convention include:
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Creation of the first global mechanism for the collection, exchange and use of electronic evidence in relation to all serious crimes (previously uniform international standards in this area were absent);
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Introducing criminal liability for cybercrimes, as well as for offenses related to online fraud, sexual exploitation of children on the Internet and the involvement of children in illegal activities in networks;
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Recognition – for the first time in international law – crimes of unauthorized distribution of intimate images;
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Creation of the world’s first 24/7 global network for operational cooperation between states;
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Recognizing the need to develop the capabilities of states to effectively cybercrime investigations.
“Cybercrime is fundamentally changing the nature of organized crime, and the new UN Convention against Cybercrime will be an important tool that will enable States to effectively counter this threat,” said Ghada Wali, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). she.
The UN Convention against Cybercrime was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024 and will enter into force 90 days after ratification 40 member states.
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