Hanoi Convention: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the UN Secretary-General meet with the press.

Photo caption — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the press conference for the signing ceremony and the high-level conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA.

Speaking to the press, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed and thanked the UN Secretary-General and international guests for coming to Vietnam to attend the important and historically significant event - the opening ceremony of the Hanoi Convention.

According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in the current context where multilateralism is somewhat declining, the United Nations, led by the Secretary-General, has been making many efforts to consolidate and strengthen multilateralism and enhance international solidarity. The opening of the Hanoi Convention – an event held outside the UN Headquarters with more than 100 participating countries, of which more than 60 have signed – demonstrates the importance of the Convention.

The Prime Minister emphasized that cybersecurity is not just a national or individual issue, but a comprehensive, global issue for all. No country or individual is truly safe if other countries and their citizens are not secure; cybercrime affects many aspects of the economy, material well-being, and culture. Therefore, international solidarity must be called for and promoted to jointly combat cybercrime and ensure information security and safety. The presence of international guests in Vietnam this time demonstrates that combating cybercrime is a global concern.

Regarding information on Vietnam's situation after 80 years of independence, freedom, and happiness, having overcome 40 years of war and 30 years of embargo and sanctions to reach its current state, and Vietnam's foreign policy, the Prime Minister stated that Vietnam has always stood firm in the face of countless difficulties and challenges, ranking 16th in the world in cybersecurity, according to the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index assessed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Stating that the selection of Vietnam to host the signing ceremony of the Convention against Cybercrime demonstrates the United Nations' trust in Vietnam, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the United Nations for bestowing this honor upon Vietnam; and also thanked international friends for coming to Vietnam to support this important event.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked the Government and people of Vietnam for their warm welcome and meticulous organization of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony. He stated that this was a historic moment, significant for Vietnam – a center of innovation, digital transformation, and technological development, a link in the global electronics supply chain, with great potential for cross-border trade.

The UN Secretary-General emphasized that cybercrime has disrupted transactions and connections; spread harmful content; and caused immeasurable consequences, but the world currently lacks a common set of rules to address this issue. The creation of the UN Convention on Cybercrime will provide countries with new tools to prevent and combat cybercrime; control cross-border traffic and protect citizens; and create a global network for sharing information and combating cybercrime.

Emphasizing that the Convention is not only a legal instrument but also a promise that all countries will be protected in cyberspace, and that each country must have effective solutions to combat cybercrime, the UN Secretary-General once again thanked Vietnam for its goodwill and pioneering voice internationally on the issue of combating cybercrime.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres took the time to answer numerous questions from domestic and international journalists on related issues.

Responding to a question from a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporter about what countries, parties, and the international community need to do after the signing ceremony to fulfill the political commitments, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said that countries and relevant parties must ratify the Convention, establish enforcement mechanisms as soon as possible so that this declaration takes effect globally; train human resources, and invest to bring the Convention into real life.

Answering a reporter's question from Tuoi Tre Newspaper about Vietnam's role and position in the United Nations and the international community, and Vietnam's emphasis on proactive, positive, and responsible multilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that after 50 years of joining the United Nations, Vietnam has the opportunity to integrate internationally; the opportunity to nationalize world civilization within the country, and to learn from and apply advanced achievements of the world to Vietnam.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the United Nations has supported and contributed to Vietnam's stability and development. Vietnam, in turn, seriously and effectively implements UN decisions; contributes to common UN issues; and contributes to building the UN's institutions for peace, cooperation, and development in the world. The United Nations has provided Vietnam with many opportunities for growth, while also posing pressures that Vietnam must overcome to develop.

The Prime Minister stated that the support for Vietnam from the United Nations and the international community on this occasion reflects Vietnam's role, position, importance, and prestige, as well as the affection, trust, and expectations placed upon Vietnam by the international community. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam will strive to live up to this sentiment from international friends, especially in the fight against cybercrime.

The AFP news agency noted that while 65 countries have signed the Hanoi Convention so far, some entities, such as certain technology corporations, are concerned about the Convention's impact on privacy. UN Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed that the Hanoi Convention is the first convention on cybercrime that has been considered from all aspects, including privacy. Therefore, the Convention will have provisions for preventing, combating, and fighting cybercrime, but will also protect and not affect research activities, protect human rights, and not violate human rights.

Responding to a Jiji Press reporter's comment that Vietnam's hosting of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony demonstrated its role and influence in multilateral relations and on the international stage, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated that the United Nations' decision to hold the signing ceremony outside its headquarters in Hanoi, with the presence of hundreds of representatives from various countries and organizations, and with over 60 countries having signed the Convention, proves that the Convention's content addresses issues of global concern, particularly regarding cybersecurity. This also demonstrates the trust and support of the international community for Vietnam; showing that Vietnam is a proactive, responsible, and effective nation in addressing major global issues.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/cong-uoc-ha-noi-thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-cung-tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-gap-go-bao-chi-20251025164202075.htm