The world’s first international treaty designed to combat cybercrime has officially opened for signature in Hanoi, Viet Nam, marking a pivotal moment in global digital governance.
A total of 65 states signed the United Nations (UN) Convention against Cybercrime, which will now proceed through national ratification processes before entering into force.
The landmark treaty, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, aims to strengthen international collaboration in preventing and responding to cybercrime, which has grown increasingly sophisticated and transnational. The Convention will come into effect 90 days after it is ratified by the 40th signatory.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the Convention as “a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime,” adding that it demonstrates “the continued power of multilateralism to deliver solutions” and ensures “no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenceless against cybercrime.”
The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for the collection, sharing and use of electronic evidence across borders—an area that has previously lacked consistent international standards. It also establishes a 24/7 global network to enable rapid cooperation among nations in responding to cyber threats and incidents.
Among its groundbreaking provisions, the Convention criminalises cyber-dependent crimes such as hacking, online fraud and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. It is also the first international treaty to recognise non-consensual dissemination of intimate images as a criminal offence.
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Ghada Waly praised the achievement, stating: “Cybercrime is changing the face of organized crime as we know it, and the new UN Cybercrime Convention provides Member States with a vital tool to fight back together. The signing of the Convention highlights the enduring value of multilateral cooperation after five years of negotiations. I am proud of the role UNODC has played in this achievement, and deeply grateful to Viet Nam for its leadership in hosting the signing ceremony. Now we must ensure the Convention’s swift entry into force and implementation, for a safer digital world for all.”
The Convention also highlights the need to build technical capacity in developing nations to help them effectively pursue and cooperate in cross-border cybercrime cases. This includes support for evidence gathering, information sharing and enforcement mechanisms tailored to the fast-paced nature of cyber threats.
By establishing the first unified legal framework against cybercrime, the Convention represents a major step forward in global digital security and international cooperation—offering a coordinated response to the misuse of technology for terrorism, human trafficking, financial crimes and drug smuggling.
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