Doha, November 13 (QNA) - The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which was signed in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Oct. 25, 2024 is the first UN criminal justice convention adopted in over 20 years. It is also the first global treaty on cybercrime and the exchange of electronic evidence related to serious crimes.

The signing of this convention is of multifaceted importance, not only in terms of specialized legal techniques but also in terms of international standing, digital diplomacy, and socio-economic development in the age of digital acceleration. Furthermore, the Convention provides the first global framework for the collection, exchange, and use of electronic evidence related to all the most serious crimes, as there were previously no widely accepted international standards in this field.

The UN General Assembly adopted the convention in December 2024, and it is scheduled to enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General. This means that at least 40 countries must ratify the convention according to their domestic legal procedures, the minimum required to ensure broad international consensus before it can become effective.

Information indicates that 65 countries have signed the convention so far, and each country must then ratify it according to its own national procedures.

During the signing ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed that the convention constitutes "a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defenses against cybercrime. It is a testament to the enduring power of finding common, multilateral solutions, and a pledge that no country, regardless of its level of development, will be left unprotected against cybercrime."

The State of Qatar signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on October 25th in Hanoi, with broad international participation. HE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, who signed the convention on behalf of Qatar, affirmed that the adoption of the UN Convention against Cybercrime represents a significant turning point in the international system and reflects a collective will to protect the security of people in the digital space.

Qatar's National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) also announced earlier the achievement of several new milestones in the second phase of the National Cybersecurity Training Program, which is based on two fundamental pillars: developing human capital and establishing cybersecurity as a core institutional function.

Through the program, participants are equipped with basic and advanced skills, including threat detection, penetration testing, and infrastructure protection.

Regarding the importance of joining the UN Convention against Cybercrime, Founding Secretary of the Arab Association for Cybersecurity, Dr. Noura Fetais told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that signing the first UN convention to combat cybercrime represents a turning point in the governance of the digital space, stressing that joining the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime is a historic step because it shifts the fight against cybercrime of all kinds from bilateral and fragmented arrangements to unified global efforts. It provides a common framework for countries to confront transnational crimes and, at the same time, reflects the international community's commitment to cooperating in the prosecution of those involved in cybercrime, wherever it is committed. This is because it unifies the legal framework for cross-border cooperation and accelerates the exchange of digital evidence and the rapid preservation of data. Dr. Noura added that, most importantly, it places the fight against cybercrime within a single international system that respects both national sovereignty and human rights, thus enhancing the confidence of societies and markets in the digital economy.

Regarding the benefits of Qatar's signing of the convention, Dr. Noura believes that Qatar's signing solidifies its position as an active partner in cybersecurity governance. It yields tangible and direct gains, including enhanced efficiency in national investigations of cross-border cases through expedited international cooperation mechanisms such as legal assistance, extradition, and the exchange of electronic evidence. Furthermore, it strengthens critical infrastructure by aligning national frameworks with international standards, and develops national capabilities through capacity-building programs accompanying the agreement and coordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Finally, it fosters trust, investment, and innovation within the digital business environment thanks to clear and internationally consistent rules, thus supporting digital transformation initiatives and Qatar's vision for cybersecurity.

Dr. Noura pointed out that keeping pace with the changes occurring in the development of the cybercrime scene and its changing features as a result of the enormous digital acceleration requires activating an integrated operational and procedural technical package, including a national cyber threat intelligence (CTI) network to monitor threats, linked to regional and international cyber information exchange networks, and raising the capabilities for promptly preserving and analyzing digital evidence according to the procedural standards of the agreement; with communication channels operating around the clock; security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR); and linking it to field training and periodic simulation exercises via Cyber ​​Range platforms to raise readiness, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to monitor and track criminal networks across borders, in addition to ensuring that the design of the cloud and supply chains is secure, with regular penetration tests and clear risk governance. These tools are supported by the agreement as a framework for the exchange of information and evidence with the stipulated human rights guarantees. 

Dr. Noora Fatis Al Marri, Founding Secretary General of the Arab Association for Cybersecurity concluded her remarks to QNA by highlighting key cybersecurity challenges in the region.

She said these include disparities in institutional maturity across countries, which create readiness gaps exploited by cybercriminals, a shortage of specialized talent, complexities in cross-border judicial cooperation, and rapid technological advances that outpace traditional update cycles.

She emphasized the urgent need for swift national and regional alignment with the UN Convention against Cybercrime, integrating it into national strategies, investing sustainably in human capital, and establishing risk governance frameworks with clear security performance indicators.

Dr. Fatis also called for the creation of interoperable Gulf-Arab threat intelligence networks with sustainable funding, and deeper partnerships between government, private sector, and academia through platforms that accelerate collective learning and build trust.

Commenting on the significance of joining the UN Convention against Cybercrime, Dr. Fath Al Aleem Ali Hujja, Professor of Cybersecurity at the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies, told QNA that the treaty represents a turning point in global efforts to counter transnational digital threats.

He noted that the convention is expected to unify legal and technical efforts, build capacity, and enhance judicial cooperation among nations.

Dr. Hujja added that accession to the convention strengthens national digital security, fosters trust in digital environments, and supports sustainable development and a secure digital economy.

It also provides an effective international mechanism for addressing complex, borderless cybercrimes and facilitates the exchange of expertise and intelligence.

He stressed that the convention's importance lies in its role in promoting international cooperation and knowledge sharing, especially as cybercrime evolves into a more organized and transnational threat, fueled by technologies like artificial intelligence and digital dependency. These dynamics have made cybercrime more diverse and impactful on both informational and cognitive security.

In light of this rapidly changing landscape, Dr. Hujja said the convention is expected to help nations bolster their capabilities to confront modern digital threats and contribute to building a more integrated and sustainable global protection framework.

He emphasized the need for smart defensive approaches, including the use of analytical AI for early threat detection, development of autonomous incident response systems, and flexible digital governance that integrates technical, cognitive, and societal security.

He also advocated for strengthening knowledge security through digital awareness and continuous education to ensure a comprehensive response that connects people and technology in an evolving risk environment.

Dr. Hujja pointed out that technical measures alone are insufficient to combat cybercrimes stemming from misuse of ICT. A holistic system combining legislation, deterrence, awareness, and international cooperation is essential, an approach underscored by the UN Convention against Cybercrime. Legally, this may require updating national laws to align with international standards and ensure cross-border coordination.

Institutionally, he called for effective mechanisms among security, judicial, and cyber agencies, as well as telecom regulators.

Socially, he stressed the importance of instilling digital culture and ethical responsibility in technology use, which serves as the first line of defense against misuse. International cooperation and information exchange remain fundamental to achieving a sustainable balance between digital freedom and global cybersecurity.

Regarding the type of international coordination needed to combat cross-border cybercrime, Dr. Hujja said the new UN treaty introduces a qualitative leap. It establishes the first global framework for collecting and exchanging electronic evidence, criminalizes cybercrime, fraud, child exploitation, and unauthorized content distribution, and creates a real-time international cooperation network focused on capacity building and multilateral collaboration.

He concluded by outlining urgent national responsibilities in light of the convention, including updating legal frameworks to address emerging digital crimes, aligning with international agreements, building integrated cybersecurity systems with emergency response centers, and enhancing human and technical capabilities through specialized training. Continuous international cooperation for information sharing and rapid response to cross-border attacks is also essential.

Experts agree that the UN Convention against Cybercrime is not only significant, it is a global commitment to a safer digital world. To translate this commitment into reality, collective responsibility is key. Raising public awareness and cognitive resilience against digital threats and misinformation is vital to strengthening the digital immunity of both society and the state. (QNA)