At the meeting with ambassadors and permanent representatives to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienna, presented a congratulatory letter from Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and conveyed congratulations on behalf of the Vietnamese State and Government.

Hoang said Vietnam highly values the UNODC’s support in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control and responses to emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime.

Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with the UNODC, he said, noting that the two sides have coordinated effectively in bilateral activities and multilateral processes related to crime prevention and control.

The ambassador also thanked the UNODC for working with Vietnam to successfully organize the signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi in October 2025, also known as the Hanoi Convention.

Vietnam hopes both sides will continue close and effective coordination in the diplomatic and legal processes needed for the convention to enter into force and be implemented effectively, contributing to cybersecurity efforts and the fight against high-tech crime while helping countries develop technology and innovation more effectively, he went on to say.

Hoang expressed confidence that under Juma’s leadership, the UNODC would continue playing a leading role in global efforts against transnational organized crime while promoting justice, the rule of law and sustainable development.

Upon addressing the meeting, Juma said transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, corruption, cybercrime and terrorism were becoming increasingly complex and were negatively affecting national security as well as progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She said the multilateral system and the United Nations were facing growing pressure, particularly amid financial difficulties affecting UN operations in Vienna. However, she stressed that multilateralism continued to play a crucial role in responding to global challenges.

Juma said current challenges also created an opportunity for the UN to renew and reform its operations. Through the “UN80” reform process launched by the Secretary-General, the organization aims not only to reduce costs but also to carry out its work in a more effective and credible manner in response to rapid changes in the international situation.

Looking ahead, she stated that one of the UNODC’s top priorities would be finalizing a new operational strategy and corresponding reform roadmap aimed at making the organization more focused, flexible and effective.

Juma pledged to continue strengthening a comprehensive and inclusive approach, promote coordination across programs and specialized areas, and expand cooperation with regional organizations, academia, the private sector and technology actors to improve responses to increasingly complex non-traditional security challenges.

She also laid stress on the importance of ensuring that the voices of developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, are more fully reflected in the process of shaping priorities.

Concluding her remarks, Juma shared three key principles for her tenure: “collective responsibility,” “trust” and “commitment.” She also pledged to work openly and constructively with all member states to enhance the effectiveness and practical impact of the UNODC on people and communities around the world.

Vietnam, UNODC strengthen cooperation in crime prevention

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son on October 21 received Ghada Waly, UN Under-Secretary-General and Director-General/Executive Director of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who is visiting Vietnam to attend the Opening for the Signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention).