Many international experts consider this a historic milestone, marking the establishment of the world’s first global legal framework on cybercrime.
The convention is structured with nine chapters and 71 articles, which specifically regulate the following areas: identification and prosecution of cybercrimes; international cooperation, information sharing, mutual legal assistance, and cross-border investigations; equality and respect for human rights, ensuring a balance between cybersecurity and privacy; as well as the development of digital capacity and support for developing countries.
Mr. John Brandolino, Director of the Treaty Affairs Division of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation in combating cybercrime.
"The new Cybercrime Convention will give states access to a new 24/7 network to request a shared and preserved data which will allow investigators and prosecutors to move quickly to save valuable evidence and data and ultimately better protect people from cybercrime. Another big worry many people have is how to protect their children online.The new Convention is the first global agreement to specifically protect children against sexual violence and criminal activities online," said Mr. Brandolino.
He noted that once the Convention enters into force, member states will be able to benefit from cross-border cooperation mechanisms, including mutual legal assistance, extradition, and joint investigations.
 Ms. Xiaohong Li, Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (Photo: VNA) |
Ms. Xiaohong Li, Representative of the New York Liaison Office of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said: "The UN Convention against the Cybercrime is the historical milestone. This is the first criminal convention related to cyberspace governance, providing comprehensive and multidisciplinary measures and tools to prevent and address cybercrime. I would also like to share that the UN Convention on cybercime provide state parties with multi discipline and comprehensive tool to prevent cybercrime."
Following the opening of the signing ceremony in Hanoi, the UN will continue the signing process of the Convention at its headquarters in New York (USA) or another designated location.
The next step will be the national ratification process, in which countries carry out their domestic legal procedures to approve or adopt the Convention within 90 days. The Convention will take effect once at least 40 countries sign and ratify it in accordance with proper procedures.