The birth and opening for the signature of the Convention, following a challenging journey, affirm the shared trust, will, and responsibility of the international community in building a safe digital future for all.

The “sweet fruit” of solidarity

Representatives from nearly 70 countries and organisations signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Ha Noi Convention, on the very first day it was opened for signature. This outcome marks a historic turning point, ushering in a new era of global cooperation in building a secure, reliable, and transparent cyberspace for the sustainable future of humankind.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), emphasised that the opening for signature on October 25 was an important milestone in the common journey towards a safer digital world.

To harvest this “sweet fruit”, the parties went through a long and challenging process, with hundreds of hours of negotiations. Comprising nine chapters and seventy-one articles, the Convention adopts a comprehensive and inclusive approach to combating cybercrime globally. It covers crucial areas such as the criminalisation of cyber offences; obligations for establishing authority to handle, investigate and try criminal acts; principles, forms and measures of international cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime; as well as technical assistance and information exchange.

According to UNODC, the world is witnessing an alarming situation where cybercrime brings multinational corporations to their knees, wipes out small organisations, and uses developing countries as “testing grounds” for new attack technologies. However, the limitations of national jurisdictions have created legal gaps and fragmentation in how countries respond to such violations.

In this context, the Ha Noi Convention provides a foundation for countries to eliminate these legal “grey areas” and jointly foster solidarity in protecting cyberspace – a shared asset of all humanity.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that, by signing the Ha Noi Convention, countries are laying the groundwork for a cyberspace that is safe, respects human rights, and serves peace, security and prosperity for all. This is a powerful, binding legal instrument that enhances the world’s collective defence against cybercrime, demonstrating the enduring strength of multilateralism and affirming that no country will stand alone in the fight against cybercrime.

Affirming the aspiration for peace

That an important international convention now bears the name of Viet Nam’s capital city is a vivid reflection of the international community’s recognition and appreciation of Viet Nam’s active contributions to the development of this convention. From the negotiation process to the signing of the Ha Noi Convention, Viet Nam’s multilateral diplomacy has left a strong mark.

As a city of peace, hospitality, and dynamic growth, Ha Noi was an ideal venue for the international community to launch a new global instrument ensuring cybersecurity.

At a joint press conference with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on October 25, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the opening for signature demonstrates the trust and support that the United Nations and other countries have placed in Viet Nam. The presence of so many international friends in Ha Noi on this important occasion not only affirms Viet Nam’s prestige, role, and position in the international arena, but above all reflects the sincere affection and goodwill of international friends towards Viet Nam.

The Prime Minister affirmed that this serves as a strong motivation for Viet Nam to continue promoting its pioneering, proactive, and innovative spirit, working hand in hand with other nations to combat cybercrime – a new form of crime that affects every aspect of human life.

The opening for signature demonstrates the trust and support that the United Nations and other countries have placed in Viet Nam. The presence of so many international friends in Ha Noi on this important occasion not only affirms Viet Nam’s prestige, role, and position in the international arena, but above all reflects the sincere affection and goodwill of international friends towards Viet Nam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh

After its opening for signature in Ha Noi, the Convention will remain open for signature at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (the United States) until December 31, 2026. It will enter into force and become legally binding once forty countries have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Highlighting that the Ha Noi Convention represents a historic opportunity, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all countries to seize and maximise the potential of this landmark agreement to ensure that the digital era brings peace, security, and prosperity to all humanity.

The opening for the signature of the Ha Noi Convention is only the beginning of a long journey ahead, with many challenges to overcome to ensure its effective implementation. Enforcing the Ha Noi Convention requires countries to complete their domestic legal frameworks, prepare appropriate technological infrastructure, and improve the quality of human resources. Viet Nam will continue working with partners to write new chapters in the global cooperation process for curbing cybercrime.