On Friday, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Asia-Pacific Regional Cybercrime Center headquarters at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, marking an important step forward in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes (also known as the Hanoi Convention), and further strengthening cybersecurity cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan stated at the ceremony that he believes the center will gradually develop into a credible regional hub for training, research, and legal assistance, especially aiding developing countries in the ratification, entry into force, domestic legislation, and implementation associated with the Hanoi Convention.
He said the center will also serve as an important platform for sharing expertise and enhancing international cooperation, helping to improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, and policymakers to deal with increasingly complex cybercrimes, and further safeguard the legitimate rights of citizens and businesses in the digital environment.
He added that the Foreign Ministry will continue to closely cooperate with the Ministry of Public Security and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), promote the development of the center, seek international partner support, strengthen connections with regional and global cooperation mechanisms, and support the implementation of the Hanoi Convention and other multilateral cooperation initiatives.
UNODC representative Delphine Schantz stated that the establishment of the center is timely and of great strategic significance, fully demonstrating Vietnam’s firm commitment to combating cybercrime, enhancing regional resilience, and maintaining regional security.
She added that UNODC will continue to support the Vietnamese government, help the center fulfill its role, and bring long-term benefits to the Asia-Pacific region.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Pham The Son stated that the Ministry of Public Security, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been working closely with UNODC to establish the center.
He said the UN cybercrime convention creates a global legal framework for international cooperation, and the center is one of the first concrete actions to promote the implementation of the convention, serving as an important bridge for regional and international cooperation.
He pointed out that in the future, the center will undertake tasks such as regional cybercrime intelligence sharing, research analysis, and early warning, enhance cross-border case investigation cooperation, assist in combating transnational cybercrime, and improve law enforcement efficiency across the region.
Additionally, the center will become a leading regional institution for cybersecurity, digital forensics, data science, and artificial intelligence training and research in combating cybercrime. It will also provide an exchange and cooperation platform for national experts, researchers, and law enforcement personnel to jointly enhance capabilities to respond to emerging cybercrime threats.