UN Adopts Global Cybercrime Treaty
A Landmark Agreement to Combat Cyber Threats and Strengthen International Cooperation
Source: UN / Image: UN Photo/Loey Felipe
The UN General Assembly has adopted a legally binding convention on Tuesday, marking the culmination of five years of efforts by UN member states. The process also incorporated inputs from civil society, cybersecurity experts, academia, and private sector representatives.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption of the convention, calling it a significant achievement in international criminal justice—the first such treaty in 20 years. He described it as a testament to the success of multilateralism during challenging times and a collective commitment by member states to combat and prevent cybercrimes through global cooperation.
According to the Secretary-General, this convention will create an unprecedented platform for collaboration, facilitate evidence-sharing, and ensure the protection of victims and human rights in the digital realm.
“The Secretary-General is confident that this new convention will foster a safer cyber world,” the statement noted, urging all member states to join the treaty and work with relevant stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation.
UNGA President Dennis Francis emphasized that the adoption of the treaty would strengthen international collaboration to prevent cybercrimes, address them effectively, and safeguard the rights of ordinary citizens.
The proposal was passed by consensus without a vote in the 193-member General Assembly.
The treaty highlights the risks posed by the misuse of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which have enabled criminal activities to escalate at unprecedented speed and scale. These crimes have profound impacts on nations, businesses, citizens, and societies. Accordingly, the treaty focuses on addressing cybercrimes, including terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online financial fraud.
It prioritizes justice for victims, especially vulnerable groups, and stresses technical assistance, capacity-building, and enhanced cooperation among member states and stakeholders.
The treaty will be formally presented for signing at a ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam. It will come into effect 90 days after receiving signatures from 40 member states.
