NEW YORK – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) have reiterated their commitment to assisting Vietnam in hosting the signing ceremony for the UN Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi later this year.

Earlier this week, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, in partnership with the Australian Mission and UNODC, held a discussion at UN headquarters in New York titled "Towards Hanoi: The UN Cybercrime Convention Signing Ceremony." The event saw participation from over a hundred delegates representing UN member states and international organizations.

Ambassador Đặng Hoàng Giang, head of the Vietnamese mission, emphasized the significance of the Convention in addressing the increasingly complex global cybersecurity landscape and the growing threat of cybercrime to national security and development. He highlighted the importance of establishing a global legal framework for international cooperation in this fight. Giang expressed gratitude for the international community's support in selecting Hanoi as the venue for the signing ceremony, scheduled for December 2024 during the UN General Assembly session. He pledged Vietnam's continued collaboration with UNODC, OLA, and member states to ensure the Convention's swift entry into force and effective implementation.

Representatives from UNODC and OLA echoed Giang's sentiments and reaffirmed their dedication to supporting Vietnam. They also committed to providing updates on the negotiation process, the Convention's key provisions, and the procedural steps leading up to the Hanoi signing ceremony.

The Vietnamese inter-agency working delegation, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Public Security, National Defence, and Foreign Affairs, briefed attendees on preparations for the signing ceremony and the accompanying activities. These events aim to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among governments, businesses, and relevant organizations to address cybersecurity challenges. Vietnam intends to demonstrate its commitment as a responsible member of the international community by actively contributing to the development of global digital governance frameworks that ensure cybersecurity and protect national sovereignty in cyberspace.

Numerous countries and regional groups commended Vietnam's proactive efforts in preparing for the signing ceremony. They pledged to expedite 1  their internal procedures for signing and ratifying the Convention and expressed their commitment to supporting Vietnam in hosting a successful event.