The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 24 December 2024 in its resolution 79/243. The Convention is the first comprehensive global treaty on this matter, which provides States with a range of measures to be undertaken to prevent and combat cybercrime. It also aims to strengthen international cooperation in sharing electronic evidence for serious crimes.
The Convention opened for signature on 25 October 2025 at a signing ceremony held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, and will remain open for signature at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 31 December 2026. The Convention will enter into force after 40 States become Parties, with its implementation reviewed by the Conference of the States Parties.
In accordance with article 65(1) which reads as follows: "This Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession."
The General Assembly established the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, which approved a draft convention in August 2024. The Ad Hoc Committee is further mandated by the General Assembly to hold sessions to prepare the draft text of the rules of procedure for the Conference of the States Parties, and to negotiate a draft protocol supplementary to the Convention, addressing, inter alia, additional criminal offences as required.
The UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime develops tailored technical assistance and capacity-building in support of Member States’ efforts in preventing and combating cybercrime.
