Hanoi,In a major breakthrough for international law enforcement and digital rights, sixty-five countries signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, the first global treaty designed to tackle online criminal activity. The signing ceremony, hosted by Viet Nam in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was hailed by Secretary-General António Guterres as “a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defenses.”
Key features of the treaty:
- Universal legal framework: The convention criminalizes a wide range of cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled offenses, including ransomware, financial fraud, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
- Cross-border cooperation: It establishes a 24/7 international network for sharing electronic evidence and coordinating investigations across jurisdictions.
- Human rights safeguards: The treaty includes provisions to protect privacy, dignity, and fundamental freedoms while enabling law enforcement access to digital evidence.
- Historic recognition: It is the first international treaty to formally recognize the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images as a criminal offense a major win for victims of online abuse.
Guterres’ remarks emphasized:
“In cyberspace, nobody is safe until everybody is safe. One vulnerability anywhere can expose people and institutions everywhere.”
He urged swift ratification and implementation, especially by developing countries, and praised Viet Nam’s leadership in hosting the event, calling the nation “an essential part of the world’s digital supply chains.”
Next steps:
- The treaty will enter into force 90 days after the 40th ratification.
- UNODC will support member states with training, funding, and technical assistance to operationalize the treaty.
With global cybercrime costs projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the convention is expected to reshape how governments respond to digital threats and protect citizens in the digital age.
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