Hanoi Convention: Vietnam is an important connecting point in global efforts to ensure cybersecurity

A VNA reporter in Brussels quoted information from the European Commission (EC) as saying that on October 25, the European Union (EU) delegation in Vietnam signed the Hanoi Convention - United Nations (UN) Convention against Cybercrime on behalf of the EC.

This event marks the EU's strong commitment to strengthening international cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime, while affirming Vietnam's role as an important connecting point in global efforts to ensure cyber security.

Representatives of the European Union sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. Photo: Pham Kien/VNA

According to the EC, the fight against cybercrime is one of the EU's top priorities. Cybercrime knows no borders and can disrupt essential services, cause huge financial losses to individuals and businesses, and expose personal data and sensitive information. The EU's accession to the Hanoi Convention is seen as a step to strengthen the international legal framework in this area, helping to enhance coordination with global partners.

The Hanoi Convention sets out common standards to prevent and combat cybercrime and promotes international cooperation while ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It criminalizes serious cybercrimes such as child sexual exploitation, online fraud, ransomware attacks and unauthorized access to computer systems.

In addition, the convention provides for specific cooperation mechanisms such as extradition of suspects, sharing and exchange of electronic evidence, as well as enhanced technical assistance and training for law enforcement agencies. These provisions help improve countries’ response capacity to increasingly sophisticated and organized cyber threats.

Notably, the Hanoi Convention is considered the “missing link” in the global legal system on preventing and combating cybercrime. Currently, more than 115 UN member states have not joined the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the first international document in this field.

The birth of the Hanoi Convention is expected to narrow the cooperation gap, creating a foundation for countries to coordinate more effectively in the fight against cross-border cybercrime.

According to the EC, during the 2019-2024 period, this agency represented the EU and its member states in negotiating the content of the convention with the United Nations. On December 24, 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the final text of the convention. Based on the EC's proposal, the EU Council on October 13 approved the EU's participation in the signing.

After signature, the EU Council will discuss and decide on the ratification process, with the consent of the European Parliament. EU member states will also sign and ratify according to their own national procedures. The Hanoi Convention will officially enter into force when it has reached a minimum of 40 ratifications.

The signing of the Hanoi Convention not only strengthens the EU’s role in the field of global cybersecurity but also demonstrates the importance of Vietnam in international cooperation on digital technology and the prevention and fight against cybercrime. Hanoi, where the convention was signed, is considered a symbol of the spirit of multilateral cooperation, making a practical contribution to the goal of building a safe, transparent cyberspace for the common good of all humanity.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/cong-uoc-ha-noi-viet-nam-la-diem-ket-noi-quan-trong-trong-no-luc-toan-cau-dam-bao-an-ninh-mang-20251028060842085.htm