Vietnam calls for stronger international cooperation in cybersecurity

Moscow (VNA) – Vietnam wants to learn from international experience in cyber security, and stands ready to cooperate with international law enforcement agencies and organisations in this sphere, Minister of Public Security General To Lam has said.

Lam made the remarks while addressing the 18th meeting of heads of special services, security agencies and law enforcement organisations, which is taking place in Russia’s Sochi city from October 15-18.

The minister said Vietnam is one of the countries that have experienced the fastest internet growth in the world, and the Vietnamese Government is working hard to accelerate the building of an e-government, towards a digital government and economy.

Although Vietnam has reaped significant outcomes in this regard, the country’s cyberspace is facing various risks and challenges that have directly affected national security as well as social order and safety, Lam added.

He called on countries to reach consensus on the behaviours in cyberspace under the forms of international protocols, conventions and treaties.

The minister also suggested further diversifying relations with partners, building up global consensus, stepping the sharing of information, establishing working groups in cyberspace, and improving the capacity for ensuring cybersecurity and combating cyber-crime.

Lam expressed his hope that the meeting will create new momentum for cooperation between law enforcement agencies in order to effectively fight crime, including cyber-crime, contributing to stability and security of the world, regions and countries.

The meeting has brought together representatives from 79 countries and five international organisations, namely the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and the Commonwealth of Independent States (SNG).

In his opening speech, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for joint efforts in preventing the use of internet and social networks to serve terrorist and extremist purposes.

Russia supports all kinds of constructive and equal cooperation with all foreign partners in counterterrorism on the basis of the UN Charter, he said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Lam met with leaders of international organisations and security services of Russia and foreign partners./.