Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres co-chaired the Opening Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi on October 25, attended by senior leaders from many countries as well as representatives of regional and international organizations.

Under the theme “Countering Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Securing our Future” the two-day event October 25 - 26 marks the official opening of the Convention for signature. The program includes the opening and closing sessions, the signing ceremony, a high-level conference, one plenary discussion, one signing session, four high-level panels, four roundtable exchanges, a gala dinner, and a technology exhibition jointly organized by the Government of Vietnam and the UN Secretariat.

The ceremony represents a historic milestone not only for the international community but also for Vietnam, underscoring the country’s growing role and position on the global stage. Notably, this is the first time a venue in Vietnam - Hanoi has been associated with a global multilateral treaty in a field of such global significance. The choice of Hanoi highlights the recognition of Vietnam’s constructive contributions during the drafting of the Convention.

In his message on the occasion, President Luong Cuong stated: “With the participation and commitment of nations, the Opening Ceremony in Hanoi will become a historic milestone affirming the values of multilateralism with the United Nations at its center. It sends a strong message of our shared determination to combat cybercrime and to build a world of peace, justice, and the rule of law for the benefit of present and future generations”.

The event is also an important step in implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025, on international integration in the new context. It reaffirms Vietnam’s readiness to initiate and contribute to new global initiatives addressing shared challenges such as cybersecurity, and demonstrates the country’s consistent policy of elevating multilateral diplomacy.

After eight formal negotiation rounds and five intersessional meetings over a period of 30 months (from February 2022 to August 2024), the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the convention on December 24, 2024. The convention is expected to become a “universal and comprehensive legal instrument” for member states to strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime.

The Convention comprises nine chapters and 71 articles, developed over four years, covering key areas such as the criminalization of cyber offenses; mechanisms for international cooperation in investigation, extradition, and the sharing of electronic evidence; asset tracing and confiscation; witness protection; and victim support.

The inclusion of the name “Hanoi Convention” in the official text reflects international acknowledgment of Vietnam’s active and responsible contributions throughout the drafting process. Hosting the signing ceremony is a concrete demonstration of Vietnam’s leadership, responsibility, and commitment to advancing cybersecurity cooperation and promoting global peace and stability in the digital era.