Vietnam Calls for Global Unity to Implement Hanoi Convention as Cornerstone of Cybersecurity Cooperation
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Saturday urged the international community to unite in transforming the Hanoi Convention into a powerful catalyst for global cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility in securing the digital future.
The appeal was made during a high-level discussion held in Hanoi as part of the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, commonly known as the Hanoi Convention. The session was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The event saw the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, senior Vietnamese leaders, and representatives from over 110 countries, along with numerous international and regional organisations.
In his address, Prime Minister Chính underscored that digital transformation is not only an inevitable global trend but also a strategic choice and top priority for nations striving for rapid and sustainable development. However, he warned that this shift comes with unprecedented risks, particularly in the form of cyberattacks and cybercrime.
“Ensuring cybersecurity and combating cybercrime are not challenges for individual countries alone, but a shared responsibility of the entire international community,” he emphasized.
The Vietnamese leader reaffirmed that Vietnam considers cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention as foundational pillars of its national digital transformation strategy. The country, he said, has adopted multiple laws, strategies, and action plans to safeguard digital space.
Acknowledging that no nation can confront cybercrime in isolation, the Prime Minister highlighted Vietnam’s longstanding commitment to proactive and responsible participation in global cybersecurity efforts. Hosting and promoting the signing of the Hanoi Convention, he added, was a testament to Vietnam’s leadership and dedication to international collaboration.
To ensure effective implementation of the convention, Prime Minister Chính proposed five key actions:
- Strengthen international cooperation by building a robust network among nations, international organisations, and major technology corporations.
- Harmonise national legal frameworks with the provisions of the convention.
- Invest in cybersecurity infrastructure to increase resilience.
- Develop specialised human resources, including investigators and cyber response teams.
- Enhance participation in global legal and governance frameworks for cyberspace.
Conveying Vietnam’s message as a peace-loving nation with aspirations for progress, the Prime Minister pledged that the country would fully and responsibly fulfil its obligations under the convention, ensuring that “no one is left behind in the digital era.”
Following his remarks, representatives from 18 countries expressed strong commitments to combat cybercrime through enhanced international cooperation in information sharing, evidence exchange, capacity building, technology transfer, and the establishment of common standards for cyberspace governance.
Many delegates applauded Vietnam’s leadership in initiating and hosting the convention, reiterating their resolve to ensure its effective and practical implementation.
In a message to the conference, the President of Russia expressed readiness to work closely with the global community in addressing cybercrime. The Vice President of Ecuador stressed the importance of aligning technological progress with human security, rights, and humanitarian values.
Uzbekistan’s Parliamentary Speaker emphasized cybersecurity as a core component of national security, while the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland called for consensus in developing supplementary protocols and promoting joint responses based on responsibility, solidarity, and rule of law.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity capacity and expanding cooperation with private-sector partners.
Australia announced a contribution of AUD 83.5 million to support the Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Programme, reinforcing regional efforts to counter cybercrime.
The Hanoi Convention marks a significant step toward building a safer and more resilient digital world, driven by shared vision, multilateral cooperation, and collective responsibility.
