Abel Ndooka
Crime Reporter
The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has welcomed the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Cybercrime adoption by the United Nations 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 organisations and stakeholders.
Complementing the current framework of UN crime-related treaties, it expands and updates the 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 recognises 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 dramatically. 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.”
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.
INTERPOL National Central Bureau (INTERPOL NCB) The organisation has a membership of 194 countries and Zimbabwe is a member. Each member country has a National Central Bureau (NCB) which deals with transnational crimes. Zimbabwe has been a member of Interpol since November 13, 1980, and has been conducting joint operations with other member states to curb cross-border crimes.
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