In his opening remarks, President Luong Cuong of Vietnam affirmed that the Convention, known as the Hanoi Convention, marks a historic milestone, ushering in a new era of global cooperation in cyberspace. He described the adoption and signing of the Convention as not only the creation of a universal legal instrument to combat cybercrime but also a vivid manifestation of the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where countries set aside differences to shoulder common responsibilities for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

“The theme ‘Countering Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility – Securing our Future’ reflects the international community’s shared determination to build a safe, healthy, and sustainable cyberspace,” President Luong said.

He stressed that humanity is increasingly living and working in the digital domain, where every data stream, technological operation, and online interaction can have profound impacts on national security, economic growth, and the future of societies. Cyberspace, he noted, is both a new space for development and a new front for global security, where opportunities and challenges intertwine and where technological progress must go hand in hand with ethics and responsibility.

The President warned that alongside the rapid advances of digital technologies, cybercrimes are expanding in scale, sophistication, and impact, posing direct threats to national security, economic development, and the well-being of citizens. Safeguarding digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, therefore, has become not only a requirement of the times but also a prerequisite for sustainable development and global peace.

He underlined that the Hanoi Convention is a living symbol of unity and respect for international law, embodying the spirit of consensus and cooperation that defines the United Nations.

According to the President, the Convention reaffirms the global commitment to establishing an international legal order that ensures safety and security in cyberspace based on international law. It emphasises solidarity, mutual support, and shared responsibility among nations. In addition, it places people at the heart of every effort, ensuring that technology serves humanity, brings opportunities to all, and leaves no one behind in the global digital transformation.

“These three principles,” the President affirmed, “reflect not only the essence of the Hanoi Convention but also Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy — grounded in law, driven by cooperation, and centered on people.”

President Luong Cuong called on all UN member states to ratify the Convention as soon as possible, enabling it to enter into force and lay the foundation for a fair, inclusive, and law-based global digital order.

In his address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his honor to attend what he described as a truly historic event. He thanked Vietnam for its pioneering role, connectivity, and international leadership in promoting the Convention, noting that Hanoi embodies the spirit of the digital age - innovative, dynamic, and globally connected.

The Secretary-General emphasised that humanity is undergoing an unprecedented technological transformation, which has brought societies closer but also exposed them to new and complex risks. The Hanoi Convention, he said, is the first global criminal justice treaty in over two decades, providing a comprehensive legal framework for international cooperation against cybercrime.

He urged countries to translate commitments into concrete action, strengthen capacity-building, and enhance judicial cooperation to ensure global cybersecurity. The UN, through the Office on Drugs and Crime and the Office of Legal Affairs, will continue to assist member states in implementing the Convention, Guterres said.

UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly described the adoption and signing of the Hanoi Convention as a landmark achievement following five years of challenging negotiations. She expressed deep appreciation to Vietnam for hosting the ceremony and for its leadership in uniting the international community to address the global threat of cybercrime.

Waly noted that the rapid development of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and digital technology has created a new era of transnational cyber threats. The Hanoi Convention, she said, will provide a unified legal framework for electronic evidence sharing, judicial cooperation, and protection of human rights in the digital age.

She called on all countries to sign, ratify, and implement the Convention, while investing in legal frameworks, institutional capacity, and international cooperation, especially supporting developing nations. She reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to providing technical assistance to ensure effective implementation, thereby contributing to a safer, more humane, and more prosperous cyberspace.

Immediately after the opening session, President Luong Cuong, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and delegates witnessed representatives of member states signing the UN Convention against Cybercrime in the official signing ceremony administered by the UN Office of Legal Affairs (OLA).

The event is expected to lay the groundwork for a landmark global legal instrument on combating cybercrime — comparable to previous UN conventions such as the 2000 Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the 2003 Convention against Corruption.

UN pledges continued support for Vietnam’s development priorities

VOV.VN - The United Nations will continue to accompany, support, and pay attention to Vietnam’s development priorities, affirmed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his talks with President Luong Cuong in Hanoi on October 24.