Hanoi: The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which was signed in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 25, 2024, marks a significant milestone as the first UN criminal justice convention adopted in over two decades. It stands as the inaugural global treaty focusing on cybercrime and the exchange of electronic evidence related to serious crimes.
According to Qatar News Agency, the convention's adoption is pivotal, not only for its specialized legal techniques but also for its impact on international standing, digital diplomacy, and socio-economic development in the digital age. It establishes the first global framework for the collection, exchange, and use of electronic evidence related to serious crimes, addressing a gap where no widely accepted international standards previously existed.
The UN General Assembly ratified the convention in December 2024, with its enforcement scheduled to commence 90 days following the deposit of the ratification instrument with the UN Secretary-General. At least 40 countries are required to ratify the convention through their domestic legal procedures to ensure broad international consensus before it becomes effective.
Information indicates that 65 countries have signed the convention, each needing to ratify it per their national procedures. During the signing ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the convention as a "powerful, legally binding instrument" to fortify collective defenses against cybercrime, illustrating the enduring power of multilateral solutions.
The State of Qatar signed the convention on October 25th in Hanoi, with wide international participation. HE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, representing Qatar, highlighted the convention's adoption as a turning point in the international system, reflecting a collective will to secure the digital space.
Qatar's National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) announced milestones in their National Cybersecurity Training Program, emphasizing human capital development and cybersecurity as an institutional function. The program equips participants with skills in threat detection, penetration testing, and infrastructure protection.
Dr. Noura Fetais, Founding Secretary of the Arab Association for Cybersecurity, stated that signing the convention represents a historic step, shifting the fight against cybercrime from fragmented to unified global efforts. It provides a common framework for confronting transnational crimes and accelerates the exchange of digital evidence.
Dr. Fetais also noted that Qatar's signing solidifies its role in cybersecurity governance, enhancing national investigations of cross-border cases through expedited international cooperation, aligning national frameworks with international standards, and fostering trust in the digital business environment.
Dr. Noora Fatis Al Marri, also from the Arab Association for Cybersecurity, highlighted regional cybersecurity challenges, including institutional maturity disparities and rapid technological advances. She emphasized the need for alignment with the UN Convention against Cybercrime, investing in human capital, and establishing interoperable Gulf-Arab threat intelligence networks.
Dr. Fath Al Aleem Ali Hujja, a cybersecurity professor, noted that the treaty is a turning point in global efforts to counter digital threats, enhancing judicial cooperation and building capacity. He stressed the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing, advocating for smart defensive approaches and a holistic system combining legislation, deterrence, and awareness.
The convention introduces a global framework for collecting and exchanging electronic evidence, criminalizing cybercrime, and establishing a real-time international cooperation network. Dr. Hujja concluded by emphasizing urgent national responsibilities, including updating legal frameworks and enhancing cybersecurity systems and capabilities.
Experts agree that the UN Convention against Cybercrime is a global commitment to a safer digital world. To realize this, collective responsibility is essential, with public awareness and cognitive resilience against digital threats and misinformation being crucial to strengthening digital immunity.