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 is a historic milestone in the process of building a global legal framework to effectively combat cybercrime. The signing ceremony welcomed more than 2,500 delegates from 119 countries and territories, including 110 official national delegations, along with representatives of 150 multilateral organizations, social organizations, academics and the world's leading technology corporations. According to Senior Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security , these are numbers that exceeded the expectations of the Organizing Committee, demonstrating the broad and substantial interest of the international community.

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

The most important highlight of the event was that 72 countries officially signed the Hanoi Convention right at the signing ceremony. Senior Lieutenant General Pham The Tung said that this number is considered one of the largest international treaty events in the past 10 years.

The number of 72 signatories, including 64 countries signing during the signing session in the main hall, is a record number, demonstrating a rare level of participation and support for a very new international document. This response has a global coverage, with the participation of 19 Asia- Pacific countries, 21 African countries, 19 countries and the European Union (EU) and 12 Latin American countries.
Safe future and next milestones
The negotiation process of the Convention, which spanned from UN General Assembly Resolution 74/247 of 2019, is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and inclusive efforts to build a Convention in the history of the United Nations. The Convention was adopted by consensus, demonstrating the serious efforts of Member States.
At the closing session, Mr. John Brandolino, Director of the Department of International Treaty Affairs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), emphasized that the message from the discussions was: The Hanoi Convention opens up a safer and fairer future for everyone – both in the real world and in cyberspace.
However, Mr. John Brandolino also noted that: “Negotiating the Convention is just the beginning. Now, the task of the countries is to work together towards the next milestone - the Convention coming into force.”
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that the most important result of the signing ceremony and the High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime is that Vietnam, together with member countries, has ensured conditions for the Convention to be implemented soon.

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

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

Ms. Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, Ambassador and Chair of the Negotiating Committee of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, expressed her deep gratitude to the Member States and organizations that have achieved this remarkable result thanks to the spirit of inclusiveness, broad representation and collective work.

Ms. Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, Ambassador and Chairwoman of the Convention Negotiating Committee, speaks. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

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

“In cyberspace, no one is safe until everyone is safe. A breach anywhere can victimize people and institutions everywhere. That is why we need a strong, collective and global response,” he asserted.

This Convention is a testament to the enduring power of multilateralism and an affirmation that no country, no matter how developed, will be left alone in the face of cybercrime.
Vietnam's mark: Proactive, responsible and trustworthy
Vietnam's hosting of the signing ceremony and being the first country to sign the Hanoi Convention demonstrated its role as a proactive, responsible, courageous and good-willed country.
In his closing speech, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang sincerely thanked the leaders and delegates for their attention, sense of responsibility and important contributions. The Minister pointed out three important consensus results 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 many countries shows the spirit of solidarity, political will and high determination of the international community in the fight against cybercrime; The successful organization of the signing ceremony in Hanoi reaffirms the central role of the United Nations, and at the same time demonstrates the trust and confidence of the international community in the role, prestige, capacity and responsibility of Vietnam and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security in solving global issues.
Affirming Vietnam's commitment, Minister Luong Tam Quang emphasized: "Consistently implementing an independent and autonomous foreign policy, being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community; with special attention, identifying cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention as prerequisites to protect digital sovereignty". Vietnam commits to fully, seriously and responsibly implementing its obligations under the Convention.
The Minister proposed and called on countries, organizations and businesses to strengthen cooperation in effectively implementing the Hanoi Convention with solidarity and strategic trust. Vietnam deeply believes that the Hanoi Convention will truly become a beacon for global cooperation on cybersecurity, leading the world to the goal of "Technology for people, digitalization for peace".
The event received high praise for its methodical, professional, respectful and thoughtful organization, demonstrating Vietnam’s hospitality. Many delegates expressed their appreciation for Vietnam’s initiative and sense of responsibility in promoting global cybersecurity.
Describing Vietnam as a “worthy” choice and “there could be no better place than Hanoi” to host the signing ceremony of the Convention, Ms. Mmamiloko Kubayi, South African Minister of Justice, emphasized: The event was very successful with many ministerial-level delegations attending. This shows the commitment of countries to the Convention, but more importantly, it is in line with the respect that countries have for Vietnam.

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, received Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Republic of South Africa Mmamiloko T. Kubayi. Photo: Pham Kien/VNA

Belarusian Interior Minister Kubrakov Ivan Vladimirovich affirmed: The fact that Vietnam was chosen as the venue for the signing of the Convention is a testament to the important role of Vietnam in the global effort to combat cybercrime. This event is a new opportunity for Vietnam to express its voice on the global forum.
The success of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony demonstrated Vietnam’s strong efforts to change its mindset from “participation” to “proactive participation”, raising the stature of multilateral diplomacy to a new stage of development. This multilateral diplomacy event also laid the foundation for a global document of the United Nations, promising to become a legal tool 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 effect.

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