Hanoi Convention's Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference: A historic moment

President Luong Cuong presides over the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention. (Photo: Thanh Long)

President Luong Cuong presides over the ceremony with the participation of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders, high-level representatives from over 110 countries, and many international organizations, including UN agencies, regional organizations, financial institutions, along with numerous experts and scholars in cybersecurity and international law.

Attending the signing ceremony were Ghada Fathy Ismail Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Phan Dinh Trac, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission; Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo Member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council - Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Luong Tam Quang, Politburo Member, Minister of Public Security; Bui Thanh Son, Central Committee Member, Deputy Prime Minister.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends the High-Level Opening Session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the High-Level Opening Session, President Luong Cuong welcomed delegates to Hanoi - the City of Peace to sign the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime. He affirmed that with the theme “Combating Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Looking to the Future”, the Signing Ceremony reflects the international commitment to jointly building a safe, healthy, and sustainable cyberspace; marking the birth of a global convention and demonstrating the vitality of multilateralism.

The President emphasized that the Hanoi Convention is a vivid testament to the spirit of solidarity and the rule of law. After five years of negotiations, today's achievement is the culmination of perseverance, wisdom, and trust among nations.

President Luong Cuong speaks at the High-Level Opening Session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

According to President Luong Cuong, the Hanoi Convention sends three clear messages with profound and lasting significance for the world: First, it affirms the commitment to shaping order, ensuring safety and security for cyberspace based on international law. Second, it highlights the spirit of sharing, companionship, and mutual support. Only through cooperation and capacity building can we protect a stable and sustainable cyberspace. Third, it emphasizes that the highest goal of all efforts is for the people. Technology should serve life, development should bring opportunities for all, and no one should be left behind in the global digitalization process.

These three messages clearly reflect the core spirit of the Hanoi Convention, a Convention of the rule of law, cooperation, and the people. This is also the motto that Vietnam steadfastly pursues in its international integration process, using law as the foundation, cooperation as the motivation, and people as the subject, center, and target of all efforts.

The Vietnamese President affirmed that for Vietnam, the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime is not only an honour but also a responsibility to the international community. Vietnam has an independent, self-reliant, multilateralization, diversification foreign policy, for peace, cooperation, and development, and being an active, proactive, responsible, and reliable member of the international community.

"We are proud that Hanoi, the capital of a country rising from the ashes of war, has been chosen as the starting point for creating a peaceful, cooperative, and trustworthy cyberspace. Vietnam's hosting the Signing Ceremony and being the first country to sign the Hanoi Convention is a testament to our strong commitment to the rule of law, full implementation of international obligations, and contribution to strengthening the global legal order in cyberspace," President Luong Cuong emphasized.

To truly bring the Convention to life, according to the President, we need not only political will but also resources for implementation. International cooperation in training, technical support, and technology transfer will help enhance the capacity of nations, contributing to building a safe, stable cyberspace.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the High-Level Opening Session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the High-Level Opening Session, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged member states to ratify the Convention soon so that this document can take effect, firmly establishing a fair, inclusive, and rule-based digital order.

Speaking about the significance of the Hanoi Convention, the Secretary-General shared: "When I visited this beautiful country in 2022, I deeply felt Vietnam's forward-looking vision and its important role in the global electronics supply chain. This makes Hanoi a particularly fitting location for today's moment - a city that fully embodies the spirit of the digital era: Innovation, creativity, and connectivity. The United Nations is proud to accompany Vietnam in making today a reality."

Vietnamese and international delegates attend the High-Level Opening Session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

The United Nations Secretary-General emphasized that the digital era has shortened the distance between people while expanding the opportunities before us. However, every technological revolution carries its downsides. Over the years, cyberspace has become fertile ground for crime, providing criminals with unprecedented operational scope. The Secretary-General pointed out that every day, sophisticated scams rob families of their assets, destroy livelihoods, and drain billions of dollars from the global economy. Child sexual abuse content causes lifelong pain and trauma. Illicit funds hidden through cryptocurrencies and electronic transactions are fueling drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and terrorism. Businesses, hospitals, and airports are paralyzed by ransomware attacks...

Therefore, the Secretary-General emphasized the need for a strong, unified, and global response. The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime is a powerful legal tool that strengthens collective defense against cybercrime. This Convention reflects the commitment that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity, and safety must be protected both in real life and online.

"This is a testament to the enduring strength of multilateralism in delivering common solutions. And it is also a statement that no country – whether developed or developing – will be left alone in the face of cybercrime threats," the United Nations Secretary-General affirmed.

Ghada Fathy Ismail Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), speaks at the High-Level Opening Session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Antonio Guterres emphasized that today's Signing Ceremony is a significant milestone in our shared journey towards a safer digital world, "but this is just the beginning. The true power of the Convention lies in turning today's signatures into concrete actions. The Convention needs to be ratified and implemented without delay. It must be effectively and comprehensively deployed, and it must be seriously enforced every day by all participating parties."

The United Nations will accompany countries throughout this process. Through the UNODC – the Convention's secretariat – along with the United Nations Legal Office, the UN will support countries in bringing the Convention into effect, enhancing enforcement capacity, strengthening investigations, and promoting cross-border cooperation.

"Let us seize this moment, maximize the potential of this historic agreement. Let us build a cyberspace that respects the dignity and human rights of all people. And let us ensure that the digital era brings peace, security, and prosperity to all humanity," concluded Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Immediately following the High-Level Opening Session was the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime - a historic moment, marking the strong commitment of nations to enhance international cooperation, protect safe cyberspace, and strive for a sustainable digital future.

Below are some images from the Convention's Opening and Signing:

Hanoi Convention's High-Level Opening and Signing Ceremony. (Photo: Courtesy)

Vietnamese delegation representative signs the Hanoi Convention. (Photo: Thanh Long)

The Hanoi Convention

Following the signing of the Hanoi Convention from the Press Center. (Photo: Thanh Long)