Egypt Signs the UN Convention on Countering Cybercrime

Egypt signed the United Nations Convention on Countering Cybercrime during a conference hosted in Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology and head of Egypt’s high-level delegation, during a ceremony attended by H.E. Mr. Luong Cuong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; H.E. Dr. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); H.E. Mr. Hani Mostafa, Ambassador of Egypt to Vietnam; and heads of the delegations of the other signatory states.

This Convention represents the first comprehensive international legal framework to address cyber threats and cross-border crimes in the digital domain. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 24 December 2024 under Resolution 79/243.

The Convention aims to strengthen measures for the prevention and effective combat of cybercrime, while promoting international cooperation, technical assistance, and capacity building, particularly in support of developing countries.

It comprises a preamble and nine chapters, covering: general provisions, criminalization, jurisdiction, procedural measures, international cooperation, preventive measures, technical assistance, information exchange, implementation mechanisms, and final provisions. The Convention will enter into force 90 days after ratification by 40 countries.

Egypt’s participation in the signing ceremony crowns its active and leading role during the negotiation process of the Convention since 2021, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice and several national bodies, including the Administrative Control Authority and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). Egypt’s signature underscores its commitment to supporting international efforts to combat cybercrime and to protecting national information infrastructure.

The Egyptian delegation included representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Communications and Information Technology, as well as from the Public Prosecution, Administrative Control Authority, and NTRA.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Amr Talaat delivered Egypt’s statement, conveying the warmest regards and appreciation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and his gratitude to Vietnam for hosting this important international event. Dr. Talaat praised the long-standing relations between Egypt and Vietnam, which were elevated this year to the level of a Comprehensive Partnership, and expressed sincere appreciation for the hospitality extended to the Egyptian delegation.

Dr. Talaat described the event as a historic milestone toward building a more secure and equitable global digital order—one that reflects the international community’s shared commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation into broader horizons. He noted that as the world celebrates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, it is crucial to draw inspiration from the values of collective international action, guided by information technology and driven by artificial intelligence algorithms.

He affirmed Egypt’s belief in the need for justice to extend into cyberspace, upholding the rule of law both in the physical and virtual worlds. Egypt’s experience, he noted, has made valuable contributions to the global dialogue, offering an integrated model for countries seeking to build their own national frameworks. The Convention establishes a robust foundation for judicial cooperation, enabling the exchange of electronic evidence and cross-border legal assistance—strengthening the rule of law in both the traditional and digital realms.

Dr. Talaat went on to explain that over the past two decades, Egypt has built a comprehensive framework for safeguarding its digital domain, integrating legislative structures, judicial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and specialized teams at the National Computer and Network Emergency Response Center (EG-CERT)—all united under a single mission: to protect citizens and institutions and preserve public trust in cyberspace, in line with Egypt’s “Digital Egypt Vision”—a secure, inclusive, sustainable, and internationally connected society.

He added that Egypt’s legal and technical expertise played a key role in shaping a balanced text that harmonizes justice with respect for the rule of law. Beyond its participation in drafting, Egypt continues to demonstrate its commitment to regional and international cooperation through knowledge exchange and capacity building with Arab and African partners—believing that digital security can only be achieved through collective action and cooperation among nations.

In this regard, Dr. Talaat announced that Egypt is moving forward with the establishment of the Egyptian–African Center for the Prevention and Combat of Cybercrime, in collaboration with the UNODC, to serve as a regional model in the field of international criminal justice. The center will act as a regional platform for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and coordination at the African and regional levels—translating political will into practical mechanisms built on cooperation in the fields of justice and cybersecurity.

He also invited member states and international and regional organizations to participate in an international conference to be hosted in Cairo in the coming months—one of the first global platforms to discuss the implementation of the Convention and translate its provisions into policies, cooperation mechanisms, and operational partnerships.

Dr. Talaat emphasized that the UN Convention on Countering Cybercrime is a bridge to a new era of collective action, embodying the shared determination of nations to safeguard global digital security through a first-of-its-kind multilateral legal instrument. Egypt’s signature, alongside those of friendly and partner countries, reaffirms that the cybersecurity of any nation is a shared responsibility—and a safeguard for all humanity.

He concluded by affirming Egypt’s unwavering conviction that justice and the rule of law are the keys to ensuring that information and communication technologies remain a force for construction and peace, not a tool for division or disruption—so that the international community unites around a common purpose in the digital age: delivering a digital future that is inclusive, sustainable, and secure for all peoples.