Assahafa.com
Morocco signed on Saturday in Hanoi the United Nations Treaty on Cybercrime during an international conference attended by representatives of more than 60 countries, in the presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Kingdom was represented at the event by Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi.
Adopted last December by the UN General Assembly, the convention will enter into force 90 days after its ratification by Member States.
In an address on this occasion, Ouahbi described the signing as a “historic moment” and a “symbolic milestone in UN action over the decade,” noting that it marks a decisive step in the fight against new forms of criminality and reflects an exemplary model of international cooperation.
The minister highlighted that while the digital revolution has made the Internet a central component of modern life, it has also facilitated the rapid expansion of criminal activity. Cyber offenses now go beyond individual harm and pose serious threats to political and economic stability, he underlined.
Ouahbi recalled that Morocco has been actively involved in drafting the treaty since the creation of the intergovernmental committee established by UN General Assembly Resolution 75/282. The Kingdom took part in all stages of negotiation, contributing to the formulation of the final text.
Reaching consensus in the current geopolitical context was no easy task, he noted, pointing to complex political and technical discussions. The outcome, he said, reflects a shared understanding of cybercrime and a renewed commitment to judicial and technical cooperation.
He also underlined the growing global cyber threats that increasingly impact societies at the social, economic, and psychological levels.
“In a regional environment marked by the resurgence of extremist groups using digital platforms to spread violence and terrorism, the strengthening of cybersecurity has become a crucial priority for the protection of individuals, societies, and global stability,” he stressed.
Morocco, he recalled, has for several years been part of the global effort to strengthen cybersecurity, adopting national laws and strategies to both develop its digital economy and safeguard its citizens. The Kingdom has enacted specific cybersecurity legislation and updated its penal and procedural codes accordingly.
The minister emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation to facilitate access to digital evidence, now one of the main challenges faced by states, reaffirming Morocco’s readiness to fully collaborate with its partners for the effective implementation of the convention.
Initially proposed by Russia in 2017 and adopted by consensus last year after lengthy negotiations, the convention represents the first international legal framework dedicated exclusively to combating cybercrime.
Source: map
