S Jaishankar Signs UN Convention Against Cybercrime

The External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, signed the UN Convention against Cybercrime on September 25, 2026. The convention is aimed at to improving the international cooperation in the prevention and suppression of cybercrime as well as facilitating the exchange of electronic evidence in relation to serious crimes. This convention is considered to be the first comprehensive treaty in the area of cybercrime by the UN.

What is the UN Convention Against Cybercrime?

The actual name of the convention is the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes.

The convention provides a common international approach to combatting the use of information and communications technology systems in committing crimes.

These include issues such as electronic evidence, international cooperation, investigations, extradition and the recovery of proceeds of crime. This common international approach is meant to deal with a situation where the criminals involved in cybercrimes operate in different jurisdictions while law enforcement officials are still bound to operate within their own jurisdiction.

Convention Centered on Digital Evidence

Another very important characteristic of the convention is that it sets out the process of gathering, exchange and utilization of digital evidence in cases of serious crimes.

According to UN, the convention sets the standards for international cooperation regarding digital evidence at a global level. The convention also allows for mechanisms through which states can cooperate in a more efficient way in case the digital evidence regarding the crime is in another state.

The treaty further creates a 24/7 network which will allow states to start cooperating swiftly in cases of cybercrimes.

When Was the UN Cybercrime Convention Adopted?

The UN Cybercrime Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, via Resolution 79/243 of the 55th plenary meeting.

Negotiations took almost five years, during which the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) acted as the secretariat of the negotiations.

The treaty was opened for signature at a special ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 25-26, 2025. After the Hanoi ceremony, it was kept open for signature at the UN Headquarters in New York until December 31, 2026.

Significance of Clarification: The Convention Has Not Been Enforced

It should be noted that signing the convention is different from its entering into force.

According to Article 65, the convention shall enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the 40th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Hence, the necessary threshold is reached through the process of ratification or similar instruments, but not signing.

Status in the UN Treaty Collection as of September 25, 2026, is given as “Not yet in force.” The date of India’s signature is September 25, 2026.

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