President Putin Greets UN Cybercrime Convention Signing Ceremony in Hanoi

Putin Hails 'Historic Event' at UN Cybercrime Convention Signing

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation sent greetings to the participants and guests of the signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 25-26, 2025. His message, delivered by Russian Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, described the event as a 'historic event' made possible by the support for Russia's 2019 initiative to create a universal international treaty on combating the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes.

Russia's Initiative and the Convention's Journey

The journey towards this landmark convention began in 2017 when Russia first proposed the initiative. This led to the adoption of Resolution 74/247 by the UN General Assembly in 2019, which established an Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a comprehensive international convention. After several years of negotiations, the Convention, officially titled the 'United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes', was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, through Resolution 79/243. The Convention is recognized as the first comprehensive global treaty on cybercrime, aiming to provide states with measures to prevent and combat digital offenses.

Objectives and Scope of the New Treaty

The UN Convention against Cybercrime is designed to facilitate international cooperation in the enforcement of cybercrime laws. Its core objectives include:

• Criminalizing specific cyber offenses: This encompasses illegal access to information systems, data interference, and the use of computer systems for fraud or child exploitation.
• Establishing procedures for electronic evidence: The treaty outlines methods for law enforcement agencies to collect and preserve electronic evidence across borders.
• Creating frameworks for international collaboration: This includes provisions for mutual legal assistance and extradition, fostering a global network for rapid data requests.

The treaty aims to strengthen collective defenses against cybercrime and establish a global framework for collecting and exchanging electronic evidence related to serious crimes. By the first day of the signing ceremony, 65 nations had become signatories to the Convention.

International Reception and Concerns

While hailed by some as a crucial step towards a safer digital world, the Convention has also faced scrutiny. Human rights organizations, NGOs, academics, and technology companies have voiced concerns regarding its potential implications. Critics point to:

• Vague definitions of cybercrime: The broad scope could potentially allow for the criminalization of a wide range of online activities.
• Expansion of surveillance capabilities: There are fears that the treaty might enhance the surveillance and data collection capacities of governments, particularly those with a history of human rights abuses, without adequate safeguards.
• Insufficient human rights protections: Concerns have been raised that the Convention defers too much to individual countries in determining how to protect human rights, potentially undermining universal standards.

The Convention will enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession by member states.