New York, 24 December 2024 – The United Nations General Assembly today adopted a groundbreaking convention to prevent and combat cybercrime, marking the conclusion of a five-year negotiation process.

A Historic Step Toward Combating Cybercrime

The UN Convention against Cybercrime aims to efficiently and effectively tackle cybercrime by fostering stronger international cooperation and providing critical technical assistance and capacity-building support, particularly for developing nations.

“We live in a digital world where information and communications technologies hold immense potential for societal development but also present significant cybercrime threats. With this Convention, Member States gain tools to strengthen international collaboration in combating cybercrime while safeguarding people’s rights online,” said Philémon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly.

Strengthening International Cooperation in a Digital Era

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which acted as the secretariat for the negotiations, hailed the treaty as a victory for multilateralism.

“This landmark convention is the first international anti-crime treaty in 20 years, addressing severe crimes such as online child sexual abuse, sophisticated scams, and money laundering,” said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.

She emphasized the urgency of the treaty in the digital age:
“Cybercrime is becoming increasingly pervasive and destructive, exploiting the vulnerable and draining trillions from global economies annually. UNODC is ready to assist Member States in signing, ratifying, and implementing this treaty, equipping them to protect their digital environments.”

Path to Ratification and Implementation

Adopted without a vote, the resolution reflects extensive negotiations involving UN Member States, civil society, academia, and the private sector over five years.

The Convention will officially open for signature at a ceremony hosted by Viet Nam in 2025. It will come into effect 90 days after ratification by the 40th signatory, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to combat cybercrime.

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The Wall Street Herald

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