Hanoi Convention: A major step forward for a safe digital future for women and children

For the first time, an international convention named after the capital city of Hanoi was signed, demonstrating Vietnam's position, responsibility and initiative in promoting a safe, healthy and sustainable cyberspace.

A representative of the Ministry of Public Security said: “The Hanoi Convention is a global solution to promote international cooperation in preventing cybercrime. In particular, in the field of child protection in cyberspace, the content of the Hanoi Convention is superior to current international frameworks, with many new regulations. This is an important step forward, a common achievement of the international community in the effort to protect children in cyberspace, not only helping to protect but also aiming at early prevention of abuse.”

This information was given at the International Conference and Exhibition on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) and Technology-Based Gender-Based Violence (TF-GBV) ahead of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony held this morning, October 22 in Hanoi. The event was organized by the Ministry of Public Security in coordination with UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA and Australian Aid within the framework of the United Nations Joint Programme on Ending Violence against Women and Children (EVAWC) sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The event highlights both the opportunities and risks that the rapidly evolving digital economy and society presents. It is a forum to learn from good practices, foster dialogue and call for collective action to ensure technology is a tool of empowerment and protection, not harm.

Key discussion topics include: Policy implementation, reporting mechanisms, evidence-based monitoring, safety-by-design and multi-sectoral collaboration. The event also provides an opportunity to share lessons from other countries and discuss how Vietnam can both learn from and promote regional innovation in online safety.

Colonel Le Hoang Duong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Department (Ministry of Public Security) shared information about Vietnam's activities at the workshop. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

At the workshop, Colonel Le Hoang Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Public Security) said that the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention with the theme "Preventing Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Looking Towards the Future" will be held from October 25-26 at the National Convention Center, Hanoi. This is the first time an international convention named after the capital city of Hanoi has been signed, demonstrating Vietnam's position, responsibility and initiative in promoting cyber security for a safe, healthy and sustainable cyberspace.

The Convention promises to become a legal tool to help countries cooperate in preventing and combating cybercrime on a global scale, creating a new forum for countries, regardless of their differences in values ​​or legal systems, to directly exchange and cooperate in preventing cybercrime.

According to statistics, Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest rate of Internet users in the world, with 78.44 million users as of early 2024, equivalent to 79.1% of the population. In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution, Vietnam has also recorded many cases of child abuse and gender-based violence in cyberspace with increasingly sophisticated and complicated forms.

Colonel Le Hoang Duong shared that the reality shows that the awareness of the community, especially of parents and schools, about cyber security is still limited; many acts of abuse take place anonymously, making it difficult to identify the subjects; along with that, the emergence of new technologies such as AI, deepfake, and fraudulent chatbots further increases the risk of abuse... These challenges require comprehensive solutions, close coordination between relevant parties, and call for the cooperation of the whole society.

Ms. Renee Deschamps, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam, spoke at the workshop. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

As the host country, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security affirms that it always attaches importance to ensuring cyber security and preventing high-tech crimes, proactively building a national legal framework to effectively deploy and enforce the provisions of the Convention, ensuring compliance and full implementation of commitments, including international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, commented: "Digital transformation opens up countless opportunities for children, youth and women, but only if the environment is safe. Through cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security and DFAT, Viet Nam is taking important steps to ensure that the digital future contributes to the empowerment and protection of all."

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Renee Deschamps, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam, affirmed: "Australia is proud to support Vietnam's pioneering role in building a safer cyberspace. Together, we are moving towards a digital transformation that promotes inclusion, trust and safety."

The discussion results from the workshop will contribute to the development of a national roadmap on digital security protection, co-created by the Government, development organizations and international partners, helping to prepare Vietnam to effectively implement the Hanoi Convention after its ratification./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/cong-uoc-ha-noi-buoc-tien-quan-trong-vi-tuong-lai-so-an-toan-cho-phu-nu-tre-em-post1071798.vnp