UN Adopts Global Treaty to Combat Cybercrime

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted the Convention against Cybercrime, a landmark global treaty aimed at strengthening international cooperation to combat cyber threats.

This legally binding treaty results from a five-year collaborative effort involving UN Member States, civil society, information security experts, academia, and the private sector.

We welcome the adoption of the first-ever Cybercrime Convention by the UN General Assembly! 🌐

Under this milestone agreement, responses to cybercrime will be quicker, better coordinated and more effective—making our digital world safer for all.

https://t.co/x6l4kudQeA pic.twitter.com/JtsKJOv65X

— UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) December 24, 2024

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption, describing it as the first international criminal justice treaty negotiated in over two decades.

According to a statement from his spokesperson, the treaty is a testament to the success of multilateralism during challenging times. It reflects the collective will of Member States to prevent and combat cybercrime. It also establishes an unprecedented platform for collaboration in evidence exchange, victim protection, and crime prevention while safeguarding human rights online.

The Secretary-General expressed his hope that the treaty would foster a safer cyberspace and encouraged all States to join and implement it in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly, emphasised the treaty’s significance:
“We live in a digital world where information and communications technologies hold great potential for societal development but also increase the risk of cybercrime. With this Convention, Member States now have the tools to strengthen international cooperation, prevent cybercrime, and protect people and their rights online.”

Also Read: Cybercrime: EFCC Launches Rapid Response Service

The resolution containing the Convention was adopted without a vote by the 193-member General Assembly.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hailed the treaty as a “major victory” for multilateralism. She described it as a crucial step in addressing crimes such as online child sexual abuse, sophisticated online scams, and money laundering.

Waly reaffirmed the UNODC’s commitment to supporting nations in signing, ratifying, and implementing the treaty while providing resources to protect their economies and digital spheres from cybercrime.

Addressing the Challenges of Cybercrime

The Convention acknowledges the significant risks posed by the misuse of information and communications technologies (ICT), which enable criminal activities on an unprecedented scale and scope.

It highlights the adverse impacts of cybercrime on States, businesses, and individuals, focusing on offences such as terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and online financial crimes. The treaty prioritises justice for victims, particularly vulnerable groups, and calls for technical assistance, capacity-building, and stakeholder cooperation.

The Convention against Cybercrime will be open for signature at a formal ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2025. It will come into force 90 days after being ratified by the 40th signatory.