Hanoi:  Representatives from around 60 nations are set to gather in Hanoi, Vietnam, this weekend for the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, a landmark treaty aimed at addressing the rising threat of global online offences. The agreement, also known as the “Hanoi Convention,” seeks to create a unified framework to combat crimes such as phishing, ransomware, online trafficking, and hate speech that continue to cause massive financial and social damage worldwide.

UN Secretary General António Guterres described the convention as a crucial step toward improving global cooperation in digital security. He said the pact would help nations strengthen their cyber laws, share evidence, and improve capacity to tackle technology-based crimes that transcend borders.

Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, the treaty will officially open for signatures in Hanoi on October 25 and 26. Afterward, countries will be able to sign it at the UN headquarters in New York until the end of 2026. The convention will come into force once 40 countries have ratified it.

The document outlines a framework for international cooperation, including the establishment of a 24/7 communication network to handle urgent electronic evidence requests and mechanisms to harmonize national cybercrime laws. It also aims to support developing countries in building their digital defence systems.

However, the treaty has sparked debate among technology companies and human rights organizations. Major tech firms, including Meta and Microsoft, have raised concerns that some of the provisions could be misused to justify surveillance or criminalize cybersecurity research. Civil society groups such as Human Rights Watch have also warned that vague definitions in the text could allow governments to restrict online freedom and target dissent.

The choice of Vietnam as host has drawn further scrutiny because of its record of online censorship and tight control over digital expression. Critics argue that the country’s human rights record contrasts with the spirit of openness the treaty aims to promote.

Despite these concerns, the UN views the Hanoi Convention as an important global milestone. The initiative represents the first major international legal framework to combat cybercrime in over two decades, following the Council of Europe’s Budapest Convention of 2001.

Observers say the treaty’s effectiveness will depend on how nations implement it in their domestic laws and whether they ensure adequate protections for privacy and free expression. With cyberattacks rising sharply and digital platforms becoming central to global life, many believe the Hanoi Convention could become a turning point in shaping a safer and more accountable cyberspace.

The signing in Hanoi marks the start of what could be a new era in international digital cooperation one that promises unity but will also test how well nations can balance security with fundamental rights.