Algiers (VNA) – Hanoi is poised to become a global diplomatic hub with the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, known as the “Hanoi Convention”, on October 25-26, the Algerian media reported.
The convention, the first global legal framework on cybersecurity, unites nearly 100 nations in a collective push for a secure, humane digital ecosystem that respects national sovereignty.
According to an article on the Cresus daily on October 19, Algeria and Vietnam have played prominent roles throughout the drafting process. Since negotiations began in 2022, both countries have consistently defended key UN principles, including respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and balanced cooperation among states. These principles are now fully reflected in the final text, a safeguard against the misuse of cybersecurity as a tool for interference in internal affairs.
Algeria considers cybersecurity a pillar of its digital sovereignty and has been deeply involved in technical sections of the Convention, particularly in protecting critical infrastructure and bolstering international judicial cooperation. This contribution underscores Algeria’s commitment to being a responsible partner in the governance of Africa’s cyberspace, it said.
For Vietnam, hosting the signing ceremony represents not only a diplomatic success but also a growing recognition of its rising international stature, especially in digital security and global technical cooperation.
Unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, the Hanoi Convention is the first multilateral treaty against cybercrime in over two decades, following the 2000 Palermo Convention against transnational crime.
Spanning nine chapters and 71 articles, it establishes a global legal foundation to criminalise cyberattacks, electronic fraud, malware distribution, and online child exploitation, while enabling extradition, data sharing, and judicial assistance among signatories.
The convention is more than just a legal tool, the Cresus daily stressed, adding that it embodies a human-centric vision for the digital future, placing human rights and privacy at its core.
Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, hailed the treaty as a historic milestone toward unprecedented global cooperation.
The daily further noted that choosing Hanoi as the signing venue carries profound symbolic meaning. Vietnam is increasingly seen as a new hub for international dialogue, a place where nations can build digital trust together. The event is not only a diplomatic milestone but also a global call for cooperation: in the fight against cybercrime, no country can act alone. Algeria and Vietnam, through this event, demonstrate the spirit of solidarity and commitment to building a safe digital world of cooperation and mutual development./.
