Adopted by the General Assembly in December 2024 after five years of negotiationsTHE Convention against cybercrime establishes the first universal framework for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed online – from ransomware and financial fraud to non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
“The United Nations Convention on Cybercrime is a powerful and legally binding instrument for strengthen our collective defenses against cybercrime“, said Mr. Guterres during the signing ceremony on Saturday.
“This demonstrates the continued capacity of multilateralism to provide solutions. a vow that no country, regardless of its level of development, will be left defenseless in the face of cybercrime.”
THE signing ceremony was hosted by Viet Nam in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), bringing together senior officials, diplomats and experts from all regions.
A global cooperation framework
The new treaty criminalizes a range of cyber-enabled and cyber-enabled offenses, facilitates the sharing of electronic evidence across borders, and establishes a 24/7 cooperation network between states.
It also makes history as the first international treaty to recognize the non-consensual distribution of intimate images as a crime – a significant victory for victims of online abuse.
It will enter into force 90 days after the filing of ratification by the 40th State.
Learn more about the Congress here.
Secretary-General António Guterres addresses delegates during the signing ceremony.
Collective defense in the digital age
In his remarks, Mr. Guterres warned that while technology has brought “extraordinary advances,” it has also created new vulnerabilities.
“Every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal their livelihoods and drain billions of dollars from our savings,” he said. “In cyberspace, no one is safe until everyone is safe. A vulnerability anywhere can expose people and institutions everywhere.»
The Secretary-General stressed that the Convention represents “a victory for victims of online abuse” and “a clear path for investigators and prosecutors” to overcome obstacles to justice when crimes and evidence cross multiple borders.
By providing a global standard for electronic evidence, the treaty aims to improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies while preserving privacy, dignity and fundamental human rights.
Secretary-General António Guterres (left) and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during the joint press conference.
UN chief visits Vietnam
The signing ceremony was part of Mr. Guterres’ official visit to Vietnam, where he also met with President Lương Cường, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior officials.
In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Guterres highlighted Viet Nam’s vital role in the global digital supply chain.
“It is normal that [the signing ceremony] is happening here – in a country that has embraced technology, propelled innovation and become an essential part of global digital supply chains,” he said, urging states to quickly ratify and implement the treaty.
“Now we need to turn signatures into actions,” he said. “The Convention must be ratified quickly, fully implemented and supported with finance, training and technology – particularly for developing countries. »
A safer cyberspace for all
The new convention is expected to reshape how countries fight cybercrime at a time when digital threats are sharply increasing. Global costs of cybercrime are expected to reach $10.5 trillion per year by 2025, according to industry experts.
For many governments, particularly in the Global South, the treaty represents an opportunity to access real-time channels of training, technical assistance and cooperation.
“Let us seize this moment,” Mr. Guterres said. “Let’s build a cyberspace that respects the dignity and human rights of everyone – and ensure that the digital age brings peace, security and prosperity for all.»
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
