UN cybercrime treaty recognises INTERPOL’s role in facilitating global cooperation via information exchange on IT-related crimes

INTERPOL has welcomed the adoption of the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Cybercrime by the UN General Assembly as a significant milestone in the fight against cyber threats.

The first legally binding UN instrument on cybercrime, the convention is the product of five years of government negotiations, informed by INTERPOL and other international organizations and stakeholders.

Complementing the current framework of UN crime-related treaties, it expands and updates the existing legal foundations of the international fight against crime. INTERPOL’s active participation in the discussions ensured that law enforcement perspectives and existing practical solutions to combat cybercrime were integrated into the treaty.

The convention recognizes the essential role of INTERPOL’s law enforcement network in facilitating international cooperation through the rapid and secure exchange of information on “computer-related crime” and other related criminal offences.

INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said: “Cybercrime is a uniquely borderless threat that is increasing at a dramatic rate. Cyber attacks destroy businesses, undermine public institutions, and endanger lives. Only by moving forward together in lockstep can countries effectively combat cybercrime. The UN cybercrime convention provides a basis for a new cross-sector level of international cooperation we desperately need.”

Record surge in cyber attacks worldwide

The UN convention establishes a framework to tackle evolving cybercrime challenges, including the illegal access and interception of electronic data; online child sexual abuse and grooming; and money laundering.

It also calls on signatories to collaborate in intercepting the illicit proceeds of cybercrime and in collecting and sharing electronic evidence. The adoption of the UN convention comes amid a sharp escalation in the scale and complexity of cyber attacks, which increased by a record 75 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024.

In September, a two-month cybercrime operation coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL saw law enforcement from 19 African countries arrest 1,006 suspects and dismantle 134,089 malicious infrastructures and networks.

INTERPOL helps law enforcement across its 196-country membership more effectively combat cybercrime by sharing intelligence – including from private sector partners – coordinating operations and conducting training programmes.

According to INTERPOL, criminals take advantage of this online transformation to target weaknesses in online systems, networks and infrastructure. This has a massive economic and social impact on governments, businesses and individuals worldwide.

“Phishing, ransomware and data breaches are just a few examples of current cyberthreats, while new types of cybercrime are emerging all the time. Cybercriminals are increasingly agile and organized – exploiting new technologies, tailoring their attacks and cooperating in new ways. Cybercrimes know no national borders. Criminals, victims and technical infrastructure span multiple jurisdictions, bringing many challenges to investigations and prosecutions,” states INTERPOL.

“Close collaboration between public and private partners is therefore essential. INTERPOL, with its global reach, plays a vital role in building cross-sector partnerships and enabling international law enforcement cooperation. At INTERPOL, we coordinate law enforcement operations, and deliver secure data sharing platforms, analysis and training in order to reduce cyber threats. By increasing the capacity of our member countries to prevent, detect, investigate and disrupt cybercrimes, we can help protect communities for a safer world.”

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