Safeguarding Citizens in the Digital Transformation Era

Safeguarding Citizens in the Digital Transformation Era

Time: 60 minutes (25 Oct 2025, 14:30 – 15:30)

Venue: Room R339, National Convention Center, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Language: English, Vietnamese (interpretation TBC)

Background

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 in resolution 79/243, of 24 December 2024. The Convention is the first United Nations criminal justice treaty to be adopted in over 20 years as well as the first global treaty on cybercrime and the exchange of electronic evidence for serious crimes. Its nine chapters address comprehensively the prevention and combating of the global problem of cybercrime.

The Convention commits to safeguarding individuals’ rights in the digital space. This includes establishing oversight and due diligence mechanisms to prevent violations and abuses of human rights online. Additionally, efforts must be made to measure, monitor, and counter all forms of digital violence and abuse, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable groups. Addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse is a priority, emphasizing the need to prevent the distribution of harmful content online. To foster a secure and inclusive digital environment, platforms must adhere to safety standards, ensuring that online spaces remain safe and enabling for all users.

The Convention outlines key measures to address the vulnerabilities faced by individuals and communities in the digital space by:

Protection of Vulnerable Groups

It acknowledges that women, children, minorities, and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by cyber threats such as hate speech, privacy breaches, and disinformation.

Victim Support

Article 34 of the Convention provides for the assistance and protection of victims, addressing access to physical recovery, compensation, restitution and removal of illicit content. 

Child Safety Online

The treaty is the first to criminalize ICT-facilitated sexual violence against children, equipping governments with tools to prosecute offenders.

Preventive Measures

The Convention emphasizes proactive approaches, including public-private training, rehabilitation programmes for offenders, and digital literacy campaigns to mitigate cybercrime risks.

Objectives

This high-level side event seeks to:

• – Highlight the growing need to enhance protection for citizens in the digital transformation era.

• – Showcase national efforts (or/ and international) and initiatives that enhance digital safety for citizens.
• – Discuss how the UN Convention against Cybercrime can strengthen protection and safeguard citizens in cyberspace.

• – Emphasize that the UN Convention against Cybercrime provides equitable support for developing nations. Explore opportunities for coordinated action, including capacity-building, joint investigations, and public-private partnerships.

Methodology

The 60-minute high-level side event will feature a Davos-style format designed to foster candid, forward-looking dialogue among distinguished participants at the Heads of States & Ministerial level, representing governments attending the signing ceremony. 

A moderator will guide the session to ensure a flow of discussion, alignment with the event’s objectives, and time for brief closing reflections. The format is designed to highlight concrete actions and political leadership, while reinforcing the importance of international cooperation under the framework of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.