The ceremony, held in Hanoi on October 25 under the theme “Countering Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Securing our Future” marked a historic milestone for both the global community and Vietnam’s growing presence on the world stage.  

President Luong Cuong and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres co-chaired the event, which gathered senior leaders from various countries along with representatives of regional and international organizations.  

Speaking on behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed delegates to Hanoi, the city for peace to witness the signing of what he called a historic convention, opening a new era of international cooperation in cyberspace.  

He said the ceremony reflected solidarity and shared commitment among nations to build a safe, healthy, and sustainable digital environment. The establishment of the convention, he noted, not only represents the birth of a global legal instrument but also reaffirms the vitality of multilateralism, where nations rise above differences to take joint responsibility for peace, security, stability, and development.  

“Throughout human history, science and technology have continuously expanded humanity’s capacity to live, connect, and advance,” he said. “Today, we are entering cyberspace, where every line of data, every technological action, and every digital interaction can profoundly affect national security, economic growth, and the future of nations. Cyberspace is both a new frontier for development and a new front line for global security, where opportunity and challenge intertwine, and where technological progress must go hand in hand with ethics and responsibility.”

He warned that with rapid digital advances, cybercrime has grown in scale, sophistication, and impact, posing direct threats to national security, development, and the well-being of people worldwide. Increasingly organized cyberattacks, data theft, disinformation, and intrusions into critical infrastructure cause trillions of dollars in losses each year. Personal data and privacy are under constant threat, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children.  

“Protecting sovereignty, national interests, and cybersecurity is not only a requirement of our time but a prerequisite for sustainable development and shared prosperity,” he emphasized.

The Hanoi Convention: Three clear messages  

President Cuong said the Hanoi Convention, a multilateral framework to combat cybercrime stands as a living testament to solidarity and the rule of law. After five years of negotiations, dozens of sessions, and thousands of contributions, the convention embodies perseverance, intellect, and trust among nations that have chosen dialogue over confrontation and cooperation over division.  

He said the Hanoi Convention delivers three clear and lasting messages:  

First, it reaffirms the commitment to shaping a lawful, safe, and secure order in cyberspace based on international law.

Second, it highlights the spirit of partnership, mutual support, and shared responsibility, recognizing that only through cooperation and capacity-building can nations maintain a stable and sustainable cyberspace.

Third, it underlines that all efforts must ultimately serve people, ensuring that technology benefits life, fosters development, and leaves no one behind in the global digital transformation.

“These three messages reflect the core spirit of the Hanoi Convention a convention of law, cooperation, and humanity,” President Cuong said. “They also embody Vietnam’s consistent approach to international integration: taking law as the foundation, cooperation as the driving force, and people as the center and goal of every endeavor.”

A call for swift ratification

For Vietnam, President Cuong said, hosting the opening ceremony of the UN Convention on Countering Cybercrime is both an honor and a responsibility to the international community. With an independent and peace-oriented foreign policy promoting multilateralism and diversification, Vietnam has been actively engaged in the negotiation process for over five years.

“We take pride in the fact that Hanoi - the capital of a nation that rose from the ashes of war  has been chosen as the place to launch a vision for a peaceful, cooperative, and trustworthy cyberspace,” he said. “By hosting this ceremony and becoming the first country to sign the Hanoi Convention, Vietnam reaffirms its strong commitment to the rule of law, to fulfilling international obligations, and to strengthening a rules-based global order in cyberspace.”

President Luong Cuong called for strong political will and practical resources to ensure the convention’s effective implementation. He emphasized that international cooperation in training, technical assistance, and technology transfer will help enhance national capabilities and build a secure, stable cyberspace.

He urged member states to ratify the Hanoi Convention soon so it can take effect and help establish a fair, inclusive, and rules-based digital order.