Welcoming speech of President Luong Cuong at the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention against Cybercrime

Photo caption — President Luong Cuong delivers the opening speech at the signing ceremony and the High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres,
Distinguished Leaders, Heads of Delegations of Member States and International Organizations,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the State and People of Vietnam, I warmly welcome you to Hanoi, the City for Peace , to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime – a historic event marking the beginning of an era of global cooperation in cyberspace.
With the theme “Combating cybercrime, sharing responsibility, looking towards the future”, today’s signing ceremony demonstrates the spirit of international solidarity and the common commitment of countries to build a safe, healthy and sustainable cyberspace.
This event not only marks the birth of a global legal instrument, but also affirms the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where nations overcome differences and are willing to share responsibilities for the common good of peace, security, stability, and development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Throughout human development, science and technology have continuously expanded our space for existence, interaction, and development. Today, we are entering cyberspace, where every data stream, every technological operation, and every digital interaction can profoundly impact the security, economy , development, and even the future of nations. Cyberspace is both a new space for development and a new front for global security, where opportunities and challenges intertwine, and technological progress must go hand in hand with ethics and responsibility.
Along with the remarkable advancements in digital technology , cybercrime activities are rapidly increasing in scale, intensity, and consequences. Cybercrime has become a direct challenge to the security and development of each nation, as well as to the lives and well-being of every citizen in the digital age. Cyberattacks, data theft, information manipulation, and intrusions into critical infrastructure are becoming increasingly sophisticated and organized, causing trillions of dollars in damage to the global economy each year; the personal information and safety of citizens are also being seriously compromised, with children and women being the most vulnerable.
Protecting national sovereignty , interests, security, and cyberspace is not only a requirement of the times, but also a prerequisite for each country to develop rapidly and sustainably, contributing to strengthening peace, stability, and common prosperity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Faced with the challenges of cybercrime, the Hanoi Convention – a global multilateral convention on combating cybercrime – stands as a vivid testament to the spirit of solidarity and the rule of law. Five years of negotiations, with dozens of discussion sessions and thousands of contributions, have resulted in today's achievement, the culmination of perseverance, wisdom, and trust among nations, as we have chosen dialogue over confrontation, and cooperation over division.
That process converges global values, reflects the spirit of consensus, the vitality of multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations. The Hanoi Convention sends three clear messages, with profound and lasting significance to the world .
Firstly, we affirm our commitment to shaping order and ensuring safety and security in cyberspace based on international law.
Second, promote the spirit of sharing, companionship and mutual support, because only by cooperating and improving capacity together can we protect a stable and sustainable cyberspace.
Thirdly, it is important to emphasize that the ultimate goal of all efforts is for the people, so that technology serves life, development brings opportunities to all, and no one is left behind in the global digitalization process.
These three messages clearly reflect the core spirit of the Hanoi Convention, a convention of the rule of law, cooperation, and the people. This is also the guiding principle that Vietnam steadfastly pursues in the process of international integration: taking the law as the foundation, cooperation as the driving force, and the people as the subject, center, and goal of all efforts.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
For Vietnam, today's signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime is not only an honor but also a responsibility to the international community. For over five years, Vietnam has consistently supported the negotiation process with sincerity, constructiveness, and responsibility. With its independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy, and its focus on multilateralism and diversification, Vietnam has always been an active and proactive member, a reliable and responsible partner.
We are proud that Hanoi – the capital of a country rising from the ashes of war – has been chosen as the starting point for building a peaceful, cooperative, and trustworthy cyberspace. Vietnam's hosting of the signing ceremony and its status as the first country to sign the Hanoi Convention is a testament to our strong commitment to the rule of law, the full implementation of our international obligations, and the strengthening of the global legal order in cyberspace.
For the Convention to truly come to life, we need not only political will, but also resources to implement it. International cooperation in training, technical assistance and technology transfer will help improve the capacity of countries, contributing to building a safe and stable cyberspace.
I urge the States Parties to ratify the Convention as soon as possible, so that it may enter into force soon, firmly establishing a fair, inclusive, and rules-based digital order.
I wish the signing ceremony of the Convention against Cybercrime a great success.
Wishing you good health, happiness, and success.
Thank you very much!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/phat-bieu-chao-mung-cua-chu-cien-nuoc-luong-cuong-tai-le-mo-ky-cong-uoc-ha-noi-ve-chong-toi-pham-mang-20251025123253189.htm