President Luong Cuong, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and delegates at the Hanoi Convention Signing Ceremony – Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
|
On the morning of October 25th, the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention on Combating Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) was solemnly held at the National Convention Center under the theme “Combating Cybercrime, Sharing Responsibility, Towards the Future.”
President Luong Cuong chaired the ceremony, attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and high-level representatives from approximately 110 countries and numerous international organizations, including UN agencies, regional organizations, financial institutions, and a large number of experts and scholars in the fields of cybersecurity and international law.
Prior to the opening session, President Luong Cuong hosted an official welcoming ceremony and group photo with heads of delegations attending the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference. Delegates also toured a photo exhibition organized by the Vietnam News Agency, showcasing Vietnam’s achievements, its contributions to UN activities, and the Vietnam-UN relationship.
President Luong Cuong and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Hanoi Convention Signing Ceremony – Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
|
President Luong Cuong and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered opening remarks, followed by representatives from 60 countries signing the Hanoi Convention in a formal ceremony overseen by the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (OLA).
Initiated by the UN in 2019, the Convention on Combating Cybercrime addresses the urgent need for a comprehensive legal framework to tackle global challenges in non-traditional security, climate change, and sustainable development. After five years of negotiations, the UN General Assembly officially adopted it on December 24, 2024.
Comprising 9 chapters and 71 articles, the Convention provides a holistic approach to preventing and combating global cybercrime while upholding human rights principles. It addresses technical and legal challenges by adapting traditional criminal investigation methods to the ICT environment and enhancing international cooperation.
Throughout the Convention’s development, Vietnam played a proactive role by organizing international workshops with experts from UNDP, WHO, and UNODC to shape its content, focusing on cybersecurity, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.
Vietnam’s initiatives, such as support mechanisms for less developed countries and the integration of climate change considerations, garnered strong international support, contributing to a globally relevant document.
The UN’s choice of Hanoi as the venue for the Signing Ceremony marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy and its nearly 50-year partnership with the UN. For the first time, a Vietnamese location is associated with a global multilateral treaty in a field of international concern. This reflects Vietnam’s growing international stature in promoting multilateralism and shaping global digital governance frameworks, ensuring cybersecurity and national sovereignty in cyberspace. It lays the foundation for successfully implementing digital transformation strategies, propelling Vietnam into a new era of prosperity.
The Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference include a plenary session co-chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, high-level bilateral meetings, and side events on topics such as “Protecting Citizens in the Digital Age,” “Global Cooperation Against Online Fraud,” “Implementing the UN Convention on Combating Cybercrime: Capacity Building as a Pillar of Global Cooperation,” and “Sharing Experiences in Investigating and Collecting Electronic Evidence in Virtual Asset and Money Laundering Cases.”
– 09:00 25/10/2025
Vietnam Landmark Officially Names Global Multilateral Treaty
Today, October 25th, marks a historic milestone as the Opening Ceremony for the Signing of the United Nations Convention on Combating Cybercrime takes place in Hanoi. Under the theme “Combating Cybercrime – Sharing Responsibility – Shaping the Future,” this event not only signifies a pivotal moment for the international community but also underscores Vietnam’s growing prominence on the global stage.
U.S. Businesses Urged by Vietnam’s President to Seize Opportunities for Greater Investment
Speaking at a roundtable discussion with U.S. businesses, President Luong Cuong urged the American business community to seize the opportunity, expand their presence, and invest on a larger scale in Vietnam.
Vietnam Reinforces Its Role as a Responsible UN Member
From September 21–24, 2025, President Lương Cường and his spouse, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting, coupled with bilateral engagements in the United States. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang, this visit by President Lương Cường and the delegation holds significant importance, pursuing multiple objectives in both bilateral and multilateral contexts.
No Convicts in the Case Eligible for Pardon under the Central Steering Committee’s Surveillance.
“There were no cases involving corruption, waste, or negative behavior among the 13,920 individuals granted a special amnesty by the President, according to Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Public Security. This statement assures the public that the amnesty was granted to those truly deserving, with no influence from any central steering committee for corruption, wastefulness, or negative behavior.”
