The address of His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed
Rashid Khattabi,
Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Media
and Communication Sector at the League of Arab
States
At the signing ceremony of the United Nations
Convention Against Cybercrime
Hanoi, Vietnam
25 October 2025

Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to represent the League of Arab States at this distinguished forum, and I extend my sincere appreciation to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for its warm hospitality and the excellent organisation of the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.

This convention marks a historic milestone in the evolution of multilateral cooperation. The League of Arab States has actively participated in its negotiation process from the outset, in a constructive spirit, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive, effective, and forward-looking framework to combat the misuse of information
and communication technologies for criminal purposes.

The Arab Group recognises the growing risks posed by the escalation and diversification of cross-border crimes, including acts of terrorism, fraud and data breaches, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as well as the illicit trafficking of weapons, narcotics, and cultural property—all of which cause tremendous losses and have farreaching consequences at multiple levels.

This legal achievement stands as a testament to the collective will to lay the foundations of digital security, achieve criminal justice, and safeguard the rights of individuals and institutions. The League of Arab States, which took the lead in this field through the adoption of the Arab Convention on Combating Cybercrime in 2010, will continue— guided by a renewed vision—to advance regional cooperation in line with the provisions of the Hanoi Convention.

We look forward to intensified international efforts to establish a secure, cohesive, and resilient global digital environment capable of containing the expanding threat of cybercrime, thereby contributing to the promotion of peace, security, stability, and shared development.

In this context, we stress the importance of enhancing international cooperation in close coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, particularly in the areas of capacity building, technical and legal assistance, exchange of expertise, and support to developing countries in strengthening their legislative frameworks, all within a context that upholds the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

Thank you for your attention.