Hanoi Convention: Historical imprint and aspiration for global cooperation

After two days of active and effective work (October 25 and 26), the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) closed in Hanoi, leaving a deep impression and opening a new era for global cooperation in the digital age.

Closing session of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

Record scale and international consensus

The event marked a historic milestone in the process of building a global legal framework to effectively combat cybercrime. The signing ceremony welcomed over 2,500 delegates from 119 countries and territories, including 110 official national delegations, along with representatives from 150 multilateral organizations, civil society organizations, academics, and leading technology corporations worldwide. According to Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security , these numbers exceeded the organizers' expectations, demonstrating the widespread and genuine interest of the international community.

Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, speaks at the press conference. Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA.

The most significant highlight of the event was the official signing of the Hanoi Convention by 72 countries during the signing ceremony. Lieutenant General Pham The Tung stated that this number is considered one of the largest international treaty events in the last 10 years.

The signing by 72 countries, including 64 that signed during the signing session in the main hall, is a record number, demonstrating an unprecedented level of participation and support for a relatively new international document. This response has a global reach, with participation from 19 Asia -Pacific countries, 21 African countries, 19 countries and the European Union (EU), and 12 Latin American countries.
A secure future and the next milestone.
The negotiation process for the Convention, which spanned from the 2019 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 74/247, is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and inclusive Convention-building efforts in UN history. The Convention was adopted by consensus, demonstrating the serious commitment of the member states.
At the closing session, John Brandolino, Director of the International Treaties Affairs Division at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), emphasized the key message drawn from the discussions: the Hanoi Convention opens up a safer and fairer future for all – both in the real world and in cyberspace.
However, John Brandolino also noted that: “Negotiating the new Convention is only the beginning. Now, the task for the countries is to work together towards the next milestone – the Convention entering into force.”
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that the most important outcome of the signing ceremony and the high-level conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime is that Vietnam, together with other member states, has ensured the conditions for the Convention to be implemented soon.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu delivers the concluding remarks at the second plenary session. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu stated that, according to regulations, the Convention takes effect when at least 40 countries ratify it. Therefore, the signing by 72 countries at the signing ceremony is an important prerequisite for the Convention to come into effect and be implemented in practice sooner, contributing to the formation of a closer global cooperation mechanism in preventing and combating cybercrime.

Ambassador Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, Chair of the Negotiating Committee for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, expressed her deep gratitude to the member states and organizations for achieving these remarkable results through inclusiveness, broad representation, and teamwork.

Ambassador Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, Chair of the Convention's negotiating committee, delivers a speech. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

The number of countries that signed the Convention at the event partly responded to the call of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the Convention's opening ceremony, when he emphasized the need for a strong, collective, and global response to cybercrime.

He asserted: "In cyberspace, no one is safe until everyone is safe. A vulnerability anywhere can leave people and institutions everywhere vulnerable. That's why we need a strong, collective, and global response."

This convention is a testament to the enduring strength of multilateralism and an affirmation that no country, however developed, will be left unchecked in the face of cybercrime.
Vietnam's mark: Proactive, responsible, and trustworthy.
Vietnam's hosting of the signing ceremony and its status as the first country to sign the Hanoi Convention demonstrated its role as a proactive, responsible, courageous, and well-intentioned nation.
In his closing remarks, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang expressed his sincere gratitude for the attention, sense of responsibility, and important contributions of the leaders and delegates. The Minister highlighted three important consensus outcomes achieved through the event: The Hanoi Convention is a historic strategic step, creating a legal foundation for international cooperation, affirming the value of multilateral cooperation and respect for national sovereignty; the presence of numerous countries demonstrates the solidarity, political will, and high determination of the international community in the fight against cybercrime; and the successful organization of the signing ceremony in Hanoi reaffirms the central role of the United Nations, while also demonstrating the trust and confidence of the international community in the role, prestige, capacity, and responsibility of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Security in addressing global issues.
Affirming Vietnam's commitment, Minister Luong Tam Quang emphasized: "Consistently pursuing an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community; with special emphasis, identifying cybersecurity and combating cybercrime as prerequisites for protecting digital sovereignty." Vietnam is committed to fully, seriously, and responsibly fulfilling its obligations under the Convention.
The Minister proposed and called upon countries, organizations, and businesses to strengthen cooperation in effectively implementing the Hanoi Convention through solidarity and strategic trust. Vietnam deeply believes that the Hanoi Convention will truly become a beacon guiding global cooperation on cybersecurity, leading the world towards the goal of "Technology for humanity, digitalization for peace."
The event received high praise for its well-organized, professional, respectful, and thoughtful approach, showcasing Vietnam's hospitality. Many delegates expressed their appreciation for Vietnam's proactive approach and sense of responsibility in promoting global cybersecurity.
Stating that Vietnam was a "worthy" choice and that "there could be no better place than Hanoi" to host the opening ceremony for the Convention, Ms. Mmamiloko Kubayi, Minister of Justice of South Africa, emphasized: This event was very successful with many ministerial-level delegations in attendance. This shows the commitment of countries to the Convention, but more importantly, it is consistent with the respect that countries have for Vietnam.

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, receives Minister of Justice and Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Mamamiloko T. Kubayi. Photo: Pham Kien/VNA.

Belarusian Interior Minister Ivan Vladimirovich Kubrakov affirmed: The selection of Vietnam as the venue for the signing ceremony of the Convention demonstrates Vietnam's important role in the global effort to combat cybercrime. This event is a new opportunity for Vietnam to make its voice heard on the global stage.
The successful opening ceremony of the Hanoi Convention demonstrated Vietnam's strong shift in mindset from "participation" to "active engagement," elevating multilateral diplomacy to a new stage of development. This multilateral diplomatic event also laid the foundation for a global United Nations document, promising to become a legal instrument for all member states to cooperate in preventing and combating cybercrime. Now, the international community is working together towards the next milestone: bringing the Hanoi Convention into official force.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/cong-uoc-ha-noi-dau-an-lich-su-and-khat-vong-hop-tac-toan-cau-20251027094717715.htm