UN Convention against Cybercrime opens for signature in Hanoi
The signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes (the Hanoi Convention) is taking place in Hanoi on October 25, with the participation of representatives from nearly 100 countries and more than 100 international and regional organisations.
According to the agenda, President of Vietnam Luong Cuong and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will deliver remarks at the opening session. The Secretary-General’s direct attendance is seen as a strong testament to the UN’s recognition of Vietnam’s initiative and the country’s contribution to promoting global efforts toward a safe, secure, and responsible cyberspace.
Throughout the multi-year negotiation process, Vietnam played a constructive and substantive role, helping shape key principles such as respect for national sovereignty in cyberspace, promotion of international cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and consideration of different national capacities in implementing cooperative obligations. Vietnam also chaired negotiations on several pivotal articles to ensure the Convention both safeguards national interests and aligns with international law.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang emphasised that the Hanoi Convention will serve as a crucial legal instrument for member states to enhance cooperation in preventing, investigating, and addressing cross-border cybercrime. He noted that the Convention provides a global framework for collaboration among countries with diverse political and legal systems, while also fostering information sharing, confidence building, and sustainable cybersecurity.
“This is a significant opportunity for Vietnam to reaffirm its position and demonstrate its commitment to promoting cybersecurity initiatives for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable digital space,” the Deputy Minister said at a press briefing earlier this month.
The inclusion of “Hanoi” in the Convention’s official title is regarded as a meaningful acknowledgment by the international community of Vietnam’s active role not only in cyber governance but also in shaping progressive international legal norms for a fairer and more secure global order.
Taking place on October 25–26 under the theme "Countering Cybercrime – Sharing Responsibility – Securing our Future" , the signing ceremony holds special symbolic value as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (1945–2025).
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.
