UN General Assembly Adopts Landmark Cybercrime Treaty

The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday adopted the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, marking the first international criminal justice treaty negotiated among UN member states in over two decades, Xinhua reported yesterday.

This legally binding convention addresses the significant risks posed by the misuse of information and communications technologies, which facilitate criminal activities on an unprecedented scale.

The treaty focuses on protecting states, enterprises, and individuals from various offenses, including terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and online financial crimes. It also prioritizes justice for vulnerable groups and emphasizes the need for technical assistance and collaboration among nations.

A formal signing ceremony will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, next year, with the convention set to enter into force 90 days after being ratified by the 40th signatory. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the treaty as a symbol of successful multilateralism and a vital step toward promoting a safe cyberspace while ensuring the protection of human rights online.