UN General Assembly adopts historic cybercrime convention

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark treaty to combat cybercrime, marking the culmination of five years of negotiations. The UN Convention against Cybercrime is set to become the first global instrument for global efforts to combat cybercrime and enhance international cooperation and technical assistance.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which acted as secretariat throughout the negotiations, celebrated the treaty as a victory for global cooperation.

‘Adopting this landmark convention is a major victory for multilateralism, marking the first international anti-crime treaty in 20 years. It is a crucial step forward in our efforts to address crimes like online child sexual abuse, sophisticated online scams and money laundering,’ said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.

The General Assembly adopted the resolution by consensus, underscoring widespread support. Negotiations included contributions from civil society, academia, and the private sector, ensuring the treaty reflects diverse perspectives. However, many non-state actors raised concerns about the latest draft.

The treaty will open for signature during a formal ceremony in Vietnam in 2025 and will enter into force 90 days after being ratified by at least 40 member states. In addition, UNODC will continue its role as the secretariat for the Ad Hoc Committee, which is tasked with drafting a supplementary protocol to the Convention and supporting the future Conference of States Parties.

For more details about the Convention and negotiations process, please follow the dedicated page.