72 states signed a landmark United Nations treaty on Saturday in Hanoi aimed at tackling cybercrime. Adopted by the General Assembly in December 2024 after five years of negotiation, the Convention against Cybercrime establishes the first universal framework for investigating and prosecuting offences committed online – from ransomware and financial fraud to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The Convention will open for signature on 25 October 2025 at a signing ceremony to be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 31 December 2026. The Convention will enter into force ninety days after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
“The UN Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime,” noted UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the signing ceremony. “It is a testament to the continued power of multilateralism to deliver solutions. And it is a vow that no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenceless against cybercrime.”
The Convention against Cybercrime seeks to respond to the growing threat posed by cybercrime, acknowledging that the misuse of information and communications technology is enabling crimes like terrorism, human trafficking, financial crimes and drug smuggling on an unprecedented scale.
It aims to make the prevention and response to cybercrime more effective by strengthening international cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building, particularly for developing countries.
“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,” said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.
“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.”
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