Implementing the UN Cybercrime Convention to Protect Children in the Digital Age

Implementing the UN Cybercrime Convention to Protect Children in the Digital Age

Room: R254

Time: 14:00 to 15:00, 26 October 2025

Organizer: Embassy of Canada

Side Event Description: Online harm against children remains one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing law enforcement globally. The proliferation of artificial intelligence, anonymous networks, and encrypted communication has enabled offenders to victimize children at increasing rates across borders. The UN Convention against Cybercrime contains strong protections addressing the transnational threat of online sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly when it involves children.

The proposed side event provides a platform on how to apply the Convention, especially articles 14-16, to protect children online. It will focus on promising enforcement initiatives and international cooperation practices aimed at combatting online child sexual exploitation, including the luring and grooming of children. Achieving this requires the active engagement of civil society and human rights groups, government delegates, law enforcement officials, private sector actors in technology, and academic and policy experts – each playing a vital role in shaping a coordinated, ethical, and impactful response.