The European Commission has signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on behalf of the EU in Hanoi, Vietnam.
According to the Commission, tackling cybercrime is a top priority for the EU. Cybercrime knows no borders and can disrupt essential services, cause financial losses for individuals and businesses, and compromise sensitive personal information.
The convention strengthens the EU’s ability to combat cybercrime in cooperation with international partners. It facilitates collaboration with the 115 UN Member States that are not yet parties to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, addressing a key gap in tackling globally-reaching crimes.
It establishes global standards for preventing and fighting cybercrime while ensuring fundamental rights are protected. The convention criminalizes harmful acts such as child sexual abuse, online fraud, and ransomware attacks. It also provides measures for suspect extradition, electronic evidence exchange, and the criminalization of cyber-related offenses, while supporting law enforcement cooperation and global capacity-building efforts.
Between 2019 and 2024, the European Commission negotiated the convention on behalf of the EU and its Member States. On 24 December 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the final text. Following the Commission’s proposal, the Council authorized the EU to sign the convention on 13 October 2025.
After the signature, the Council of the European Union will discuss and decide on its conclusion, which also requires European Parliament consent. Individual Member States will sign and ratify it according to their national procedures. The convention will come into effect once ratified by 40 countries.
(Inputs from WAM)
