Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, UN Secretary-General meet the press on Hanoi Convention Signing Ceremony
WVR - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a press meeting to discuss the Signing Ceremony of the Hanoi Convention.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres chaired the press conference on the Signing Ceremony of the Hanoi Convention. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On October 25, within the framework of the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) held at the National Convention Centre, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a press meeting to discuss the Signing Ceremony of the Hanoi Convention.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed international friends to the S-shaped country, providing an opportunity to better understand the hospitality of Vietnam and the traditions of Hanoi – the City of Peace with a thousand-year-old culture.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister emphasized that although the Hanoi Convention was signed outside the UN headquarters, it has received enthusiastic support from countries worldwide, with representatives from over 100 countries attending and 65 countries signing the Convention. These figures demonstrate the significance of the Hanoi Convention. Cybersecurity is not an issue for any single nation; hence, strengthening multilateralism and international solidarity is essential to address this global challenge.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the press conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that no country is safe if others are insecure due to cybersecurity issues. We must unite to combat this new type of crime, which poses numerous challenges to nations in all aspects of life.
According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, delegates arrived in Hanoi with excitement, indicating the international community's interest in this issue. This year, Vietnam celebrates many significant national holidays, reflecting the nation's aspiration for growth, self-reliance, and resilience. Despite current international difficulties, Vietnam remains stable and continues to develop, ensuring a prosperous and happy life for its people. Vietnam maintains independence, sovereignty, social order, and ranks 16th globally in cybersecurity.
Through this, the Vietnamese leader affirmed Vietnam's steadfast foreign policy goal of being a friend and reliable partner to all countries and a responsible member of the international community. He expressed gratitude to the United Nations for granting Vietnam the honour of hosting the Signing Ceremony, reflecting the UN's trust in Vietnam.
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| UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the press conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the press conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his honour to be in Hanoi to witness the signing of the Hanoi Convention – a significant global treaty aimed at protecting people in the digital world and the first criminal justice document adopted in over two decades.
According to Antonio Guterres, this is a historic milestone, and it is meaningful that the event takes place in Vietnam – a country that has proactively embraced technology, fostered innovation, and become a vital link in the global digital supply chain.
The Secretary-General pointed out that Vietnam understands both the potential and challenges of the digital era. The Internet has connected us in extraordinary ways: Ideas, goods, and services cross borders in an instant. However, criminals have also quickly adapted to the new era.
Therefore, the UN Convention against Cybercrime provides countries with a powerful tool to prevent and combat cybercrime while protecting human rights in cyberspace. The Convention allows law enforcement agencies to share digital evidence across borders – one of the biggest barriers to justice so far. It also establishes a 24/7 cooperation network to help countries trace financial flows, identify perpetrators, and recover stolen assets.
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| A large number of domestic and international journalists attended the press conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Notably, for the first time in an international treaty, the act of disseminating private images without consent is recognized as a criminal offense – a significant victory for victims of cyber violence.
According to Antonio Guterres, this Convention is not just a legal document but also a commitment: That no country, regardless of its size or level of development, will be left alone against cybercrime; that privacy, dignity, and human safety must be ensured both in real life and online; and that multilateralism can still deliver tangible solutions to the most complex challenges of our time.
According to the Secretary-General, it is now crucial to turn today's signatures into concrete actions. The Convention needs to be swiftly ratified, fully implemented, and supported with resources, training, and technology, especially for developing countries. The United Nations will accompany countries in this process through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Answering questions from journalists at the press conference, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of the Convention's implementation prospects, whereby countries need to ratify and establish enforcement mechanisms as soon as possible. Notably, the Convention ensures human rights, and criminal investigation processes will adhere to their own procedures and fully respect human rights.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits the UN exhibition space at the National Convention Center before the press conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Answering a journalist's question regarding Vietnam-UN relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the greatest achievement is Vietnam's opportunity to integrate internationally, incorporating global civilization into Vietnam, and learning from global experiences to apply them domestically. The United Nations has contributed to Vietnam's stability and development as it is today. Vietnam seriously implements UN decisions effectively, contributing to the overall development of this important multilateral "home", building the UN institution with the common goal of protecting peace and promoting development.
The United Nations provides Vietnam with many opportunities to grow, demonstrating the strong vitality of the Vietnamese nation. With historical significance, the Hanoi Convention reflects the trust and affection of the United Nations and countries for Vietnam, affirming Vietnam's role and position on the international stage.
