Remarks by H.E. Minister RIYAD MANSOUR

Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations.

Head of the delegation of the State of Palestine

At the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime

“The Hanoi Convention”

Hanoi, October 25^th, 2025

Your Excellency Mr. Luong Cuong,

President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,

Your Excellency Mr. António Guterres,

Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Excellencies Heads of Delegations, Ambassadors, and Distinguished Guests,

At the outset, allow me, on behalf of H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine, to extend to the leaders, the Government and People of Viet Nam, and to all distinguished delegates gathered here today, our warmest greetings and heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the signing of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, the Hanoi Convention.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are living in an era of rapid globalisation and digital transformation, where cyberspace has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, shaping economies, cultures, and systems of governance across the globe.

Yet, alongside these tremendous opportunities, humanity faces grave challenges from cybercrime, crimes that transcend borders, disrupt systems, steal data, invade privacy, and even threaten national security, sovereignty, and international peace.

In this context, the collective effort of the international community to draft and adopt the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime carries profound historical significance.

For the first time, the world now has a unified global legal framework, a foundation upon which nations can coordinate action, share information, and strengthen capacities to safeguard cyberspace, ensuring that the digital realm remains safe, humane, and equitable for all.

The Hanoi Convention is not merely a legal document. It is a symbol of trust, dialogue, and solidarity among nations. It embodies the strong political will of United Nations Member States to rise above differences and confront a common challenge together, for in today’s interconnected world, no nation can be secure if others remain vulnerable.

The State of Palestine deeply values the spirit of international cooperation shown throughout the negotiation and adoption of this Convention.

We firmly believe that the Hanoi Convention will open a new era of global collaboration in combating cybercrime, one that protects digital sovereignty, strengthens mutual trust among nations, and above all, ensures that technology serves peace, social justice, and sustainable development.

Distinguished Guests,

In this shared endeavour, the role of Viet Nam deserves special recognition and appreciation. As the host country of this historic signing ceremony, Viet Nam has demonstrated remarkable leadership, organisation, and coordination. Every element, from the substantive preparations and logistics to security, protocol, and media, has been handled professionally, efficiently, and with great national character. Moreover, Viet Nam has long been a pioneer in promoting international dialogue and cooperation on cybersecurity, reflecting a constructive, responsible, and forward-looking approach. Hanoi – the City for Peace – once again stands as a global forum for cooperation and trust, a living testament to Viet Nam’s growing role in advancing the United Nations’ goals of peace, security, and development.

On behalf of the State of Palestine, I extend our sincere congratulations and deep gratitude to the Government and People of Viet Nam for hosting this momentous United Nations event with openness, dedication, and an admirable spirit of international solidarity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the digital world, cybersecurity is not merely a matter of technology. It is a matter of trust, and that trust can only be built through sincere and equitable cooperation among nations.

The State of Palestine fully supports and stands ready to work closely with all Member States of the United Nations, including Viet Nam, to implement the mechanisms of this Convention; to strengthen our collective capacity to combat cybercrime;

to protect data, safeguard people, and to shape a digital future that is safe, fair, and centred on human dignity.

The spirit of the Hanoi Convention, characterised by solidarity, dialogue, and cooperation, will continue to inspire global efforts to address the emerging challenges of the digital age.

Distinguished Delegates,

Today, here in Hanoi – the heart of Viet Nam – where tradition meets modernity, we bear witness to a historic milestone in international cooperation. The Hanoi Convention represents not only the determination of nations to fight cybercrime, but also the enduring faith of humanity in the power of multilateralism and in our shared capacity to use technology in the service of peace.

The State of Palestine is proud to be part of this collective endeavour. We pledge to continue our active and responsible contribution to achieving the Convention’s goals for a world that is safer, fairer, and more sustainable for all.

Let me once again extend our heartfelt congratulations to the United Nations, to the host country Viet Nam, and to all Member States on this historic achievement in global cooperation against cybercrime.

Thank you.