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On August 8, 2024, in New York, the UN Ad Hoc Committee adopted the draft United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime. On this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu shared his insights on the draft.

The Vietnamese delegation attended the meeting to adopt the draft United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

Could you elaborate on the negotiation process for the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime?

The negotiation process for the United Nations Convention on Combating Cybercrime has been one of the most significant diplomatic endeavors at the UN in recent times, with the direct involvement of over 150 countries. There are several key reasons for the widespread interest and support for this process.

Firstly, the issue of cybersecurity has captured the global community's attention due to the explosive growth of information and communication technologies. While the digital realm offers immense benefits, cybercrime has also risen alarmingly.

Secondly, the draft Convention is expected to create a legal framework that enhances international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The draft Convention affirms each state's sovereignty and responsibility in combating cybercrime while ensuring fundamental human rights in cyberspace and establishes a 24/7 cooperation mechanism between law enforcement agencies of different countries to meet the requirements of timely and effective legal assistance. It encourages a mechanism for cooperation with experts, associations, and technology companies to prevent and combat cybercrime, and allows for early discussions on developing additional protocols to keep pace with the rapid development of technology and new types of crime.

Third, when it comes into effect, the Convention will become the first international legal document of governing cyberspace, affirming the role and importance of the United Nations in promoting international law to establish a global cooperation framework to respond to issues in cyberspace.

The Convention will also further consolidate and perfect the system of international legal documents of the United Nations in crime prevention such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

What is the significance of the adoption of the draft Convention for Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest Internet penetration rates in the world, with 78.44 million internet users as of early 2024, equivalent to 79.1% of the population. According to official statistics, in 2023, nearly 16,000 cases of online fraud were reported, causing a loss of 390 trillion dong, a 64.78% increase compared to 2022. From the beginning of 2023 to the present, there have been more than 13,750 cyberattacks on information systems in Vietnam, causing serious incidents.

Recognizing the increasingly serious threat of cybercrime, the need to strengthen cooperation with other countries and international organizations in combating cybercrime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, along with other Vietnamese agencies, participated in discussions and negotiations on the document from the first stage in 2022.

The consistent support for the establishment of a negotiation mechanism and active participation in all eight sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee have sent a strong message that Vietnam is a proactive and responsible member of the international community, joining hands with other countries to address global challenges, contribute to a peaceful and stable international environment.

Nguyen Minh Vu, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs (center), speaks at the session to adopt the draft United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

For Vietnam, the adoption of the draft Convention holds significant meaning.

Firstly, the draft Convention establishes a specific and comprehensive legal framework for Vietnamese authorities to establish and enhance effective cooperation with law enforcement agencies in other countries. Given the transnational nature of cybercrime, international cooperation plays a crucial role in enabling Vietnamese authorities to promptly investigate, collect information, and gather evidence of cybercrimes to support prosecution and adjudication.

Secondly, in a context where there are still disparities in science and technology levels and digital infrastructure among countries, the draft Convention opens up opportunities for developing countries, including Vietnam, to participate in and receive technical assistance mechanisms, capacity building, and technology transfer. These mechanisms will contribute to enhancing the capacity of developing countries to prevent and respond to cybercrime, playing a vital role in building a healthier and safer global cyberspace.

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