British Ambassador: Vietnam plays a crucial role in global efforts against cybercrime
WVR - British Ambassador to Vietnam Ian Frew affirmed that the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, or the Hanoi Convention, is a "historic moment" as numerous countries gather in Hanoi to demonstrate their commitment to cooperation in the global fight against cybercrime.
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On the sidelines of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony on October 25, British Ambassador to Vietnam Ian Frew spoke to Vietnamese media about the Convention's role, particularly in the Vietnam-UK partnership.
According to Ambassador Ian Frew, the signing of the Hanoi Convention by various countries signifies strong consensus on the importance of multilateral cooperation in the face of increasingly sophisticated and widespread cybercrime. He noted that to achieve real progress, nations need to collaborate not only among governments but also with the private sector and civil society. Above all, "it is crucial to act together."
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| British Ambassador to Vietnam Ian Frew representing the UK government signs the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, or the Hanoi Convention. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam) |
Regarding bilateral cooperation, the Ambassador stated that the UK and Vietnam maintain a close partnership in combating cybercrime. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) currently has representatives in Hanoi working with Vietnamese authorities to share information, intelligence, and promote broader multilateral cooperation. The diplomat also noted that Vietnam has made significant strides and holds great potential for further development on its solid foundation.
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| British Ambassador to Vietnam Ian Frew. |
Commenting on the role of the S-shaped country, Ambassador Ian Frew highlighted that the Vietnamese government has made considerable efforts in building policies and capabilities to respond to cybercrime, especially amid the rapid development of technologies like artificial intelligence and digital platforms. The Ambassador praised Vietnam's potential, with its burgeoning technology and financial services sectors, and emphasised the importance of data protection and cybersecurity in the digital transformation process.
Affirming the essential role of the private sector in achieving the Convention's objectives, as it is where most technical expertise and technological innovation reside, Ambassador Ian Frew stressed the need for regular dialogue between governments, businesses, and civil society to develop solutions for new challenges together.
Regarding investment cooperation, he noted that the UK organised the second UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week in Ho Chi Minh City this year, with participation from many UK businesses in the cybersecurity and fintech sectors. Several collaborative projects between the two countries have been implemented, particularly in combating financial crime, an area where the UK has extensive experience.
Concerning the project to establish International Financial Centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, the Ambassador shared that the UK has supported Vietnam in developing concepts and planning, while emphasising the importance of ensuring cybersecurity and security protocols in international financial operations.
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| President Luong Cuong and Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son pose for a photo with delegation heads at the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
In addition, amid the rapid development of digital currencies and assets, Ambassador Frew believes that the two countries need to enhance experience sharing, information exchange, and coordinated actions to effectively address new risks.
"The online space of digital assets and cryptocurrencies is changing very quickly. Therefore, the UK and Vietnam need to share experiences and information to jointly develop appropriate and timely solutions at an international level. Cybercriminals often stay a step or two ahead of us, so we must be proactive, share experiences to be more prepared and effective, thereby helping Vietnam safely develop new financial services," the Ambassador pointed out.
Additionally, addressing the issue of online fraud, Ambassador Ian Frew mentioned that the UK is witnessing an increase in cross-border scams and has implemented a national strategy to combat fraud, focusing on international cooperation with partner countries, including Vietnam. According to him, the UK has, for the first time, imposed sanctions on individuals and organisations operating scam centres.
Notably, Ambassador Ian Frew expressed his honour to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi and is confident that Vietnam and international partners will effectively implement this Convention, contributing to building a safe, reliable cyberspace for the common benefit of the globe.
