Hanoi (VNA) – Representatives from 72 countries and international organisations attended the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), held in Hanoi on October 25–26.
The Hanoi Convention is expected to serve as a beacon for global efforts against cybercrime, marking a historic milestone for a new era in which technology serves humanity and digitalisation promotes peace.
Vietnam’s role recognised
The signing ceremony and high-level conference concluded successfully, with international delegates praising Vietnam’s role as the host country.
This event carried special diplomatic significance in 2025, affirming Vietnam’s prestige, professionalism, and capacity to organise events of global stature.
Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), noted that the journey towards the signing of the Hanoi Convention had been long and challenging, involving more than 420 hours of formal negotiations, countless informal discussions, and the participation of over 150 UN member states and 160 stakeholders.
The UNODC was proud to support Vietnam in hosting the conference and continues to believe in Vietnam’s leadership and cooperation in putting the new convention into practice, she said.
According to Waly, Hanoi will be remembered not only as “the host of a signing ceremony” but also as a hub for implementation and capacity sharing – a model for digital diplomacy in developing nations.
Echoing this view, Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, emphasised that Vietnam’s role in the collective effort to finalise the Hanoi Convention deserves high recognition.
As the host country of this historic signing ceremony, Vietnam demonstrated remarkable leadership, organisation, and coordination, he said.
He further stated that every element – from substantive preparations and logistics to security, protocol, and media – was handled professionally, efficiently, and with a strong national identity.
Mansour added that Vietnam has long been a pioneer in promoting international dialogue and cooperation on cybersecurity, reflecting a constructive, responsible, and forward-looking approach.
Hanoi – the “City for Peace” – once again became a global forum for trust and collaboration, a vivid testament to Vietnam’s growing role in advancing the UN’s goals of peace, security, and development.
Laying foundation for digital security
The signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention received broad consensus and strong endorsement from the international community. Delegates acknowledged that the Hanoi Convention is more than a legal document – it is also a symbol of trust, dialogue, and solidarity among nations.
“The Hanoi Convention reflects the strong political will of UN member states to rise above differences and confront a shared challenge, because in today’s interconnected world, no nation can be secure if others remain vulnerable,” Mansour said.
Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Information and Communication Sector at the League of Arab States, described the Hanoi Convention as a historic milestone in the evolution of multilateral cooperation.
This legal achievement stands as testament to the collective will to lay the foundations of digital security, achieve criminal justice, and safeguard the rights of individuals and institutions.
Sharing this perspective, Vahid Jalalzadeh, Deputy Minister Foreign of Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the Hanoi Convention represents a crucial step towards building a global framework for combating cybercrime and enhancing cooperation among nations.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that all countries, regardless of their level of development, have the tools, knowledge, technical support, and resources needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.
“The signing of this document today sends a unified message — that the international community is committed to building a digital environment that is safe, stable, and peaceful for all,” he stated./.
