President: Proud that Hanoi was chosen as the starting point to create a peaceful and cooperative cyberspace

VTV.vn - President Luong Cuong affirmed that the Hanoi Convention is a historic event, opening an era of global cooperation in cyberspace.

Joint commitment to building a safe, healthy and sustainable cyberspace

On the morning of October 25, the signing ceremony and the High-level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime ( Hanoi Convention) were solemnly held at the National Convention Center with the theme "Fighting cybercrime, sharing responsibility, looking towards the future".

President Luong Cuong chaired and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, which was attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Also attending the ceremony were leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam and leaders and high-level representatives of about 110 countries and many international organizations; of which 60 countries sent representatives to sign the Convention.

President Luong Cuong, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and delegates attending the signing ceremony. Photo: VNA

The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime was initiated by the United Nations in 2019, stemming from the urgent need to build a comprehensive legal framework to address global challenges of non-traditional security, climate change and sustainable development. After 5 years of negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly officially approved it by consensus on December 24, 2024.

The Convention, consisting of nine chapters and 71 articles, provides a comprehensive approach to preventing and combating the global scourge of cybercrime and upholding human rights principles. It addresses technical and legal challenges by adapting traditional criminal investigation methods to the information and communications technology environment, while enhancing international cooperation.

In his welcoming speech at the ceremony, President Luong Cuong affirmed that this is a historic event, initiating an era of global cooperation in cyberspace, not only marking the birth of a global legal instrument, but also affirming the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where countries overcome differences and are ready to shoulder responsibilities together for the common interests of peace , security, stability and development.

The President emphasized that with the theme "Fighting cybercrime, sharing responsibility, looking towards the future", the signing ceremony demonstrates the spirit of international solidarity and the common commitment of countries to build a safe, healthy and sustainable cyberspace.

President Luong Cuong delivers a welcome speech. Photo: VNA

President Luong Cuong said: "We have entered cyberspace, where every data stream, every technological operation, every digital interaction can have a profound impact on the security, economy, development, and even the future of nations. Cyberspace is both a new space for development and a new front for global security, where opportunities and challenges intertwine, where technological progress must go hand in hand with ethics and responsibility."

Along with the remarkable advances in digital technology, cybercrime activities are rapidly increasing in scale, level and consequences, becoming a direct challenge to the security and development of each country and the life and happiness of each citizen in the digital age. Therefore, the President said that protecting national sovereignty, interests, security, and cyberspace is not only a requirement of the times, but also a prerequisite for each country to develop rapidly and sustainably, contributing to strengthening peace, stability and common prosperity.

Three messages of the Hanoi Convention

In his opening speech, President Luong Cuong emphasized that the Hanoi Convention sends three clear messages of profound and lasting significance to the world:

Firstly, affirming the commitment to shaping order and ensuring safety and security in cyberspace on the basis of international law.

Second, promote the spirit of sharing, companionship and mutual support, because only by cooperating and improving capacity together can we protect a stable and sustainable cyberspace.

Third, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of all efforts is for the people, so that technology serves life, development brings opportunities to all, and no one is left behind in the global digitalization process.

President Luong Cuong stated that these three messages clearly demonstrate the core spirit of the Hanoi Convention, a convention of the rule of law, of cooperation and of the people. That is also the motto that Vietnam steadfastly pursues in the process of international integration, taking the law as the foundation, cooperation as the driving force, and people as the subject, the center and the goal of all efforts.

Overview of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime

According to the President, for Vietnam, the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime today is not only an honor, but also a responsibility to the international community. With a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification, being a proactive, active member, a reliable and responsible partner of the international community, over the past 5 years, Vietnam has always accompanied the negotiation process of this Convention.

"We are proud that Hanoi - the capital of a country rising from the ashes of war - was chosen as the starting point for creating a peaceful, cooperative and trustworthy cyberspace," the President said. "Vietnam 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, fully implementing international obligations and contributing to strengthening the global legal order in cyberspace."

The President called on member states to promptly ratify the Convention so that it can enter into force soon, firmly establishing a fair, inclusive and rules-based digital order.

Immediately after the opening session, President Luong Cuong, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and delegates witnessed representatives of countries signing the UN Convention against Cybercrime at an official ceremony hosted by the UN Office for Legal Affairs (OLA).

President Luong Cuong, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and heads of delegations pose for a group photo. Photo: VNA

Source: https://vtv.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-tu-hao-khi-ha-noi-duoc-lua-chon-lam-noi-khoi-dau-kien-tao-khong-giant-mang-hoa-binh-hop-tac-100251025111158294.htm