Maldives Signs UN Convention Against Cybercrime

The Maldives has signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, with the signing ceremony taking place today in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel signed the Convention on behalf of the Maldives and addressed a high-level plenary following the ceremony. He said the Convention forms a key part of the country’s national digital strategy, highlighting the government’s goal for the digital economy to contribute 15 percent of GDP by 2030. Dr Khaleel also emphasised the “Maldives 2.0” transformation, aimed at building a transparent, efficient and citizen-centric digital ecosystem, and noted the establishment of the National Cyber Security Agency to safeguard citizens, critical infrastructure, and the economy.

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Dr Khaleel acknowledged that Small Island Developing States face disproportionate cyber risks due to limited resources and technical capacity but stated that these challenges would not constrain the Maldives’ ambitions. By signing the Convention, the Maldives commits to preventing and combating cybercrime, aligning national laws with international standards, and enhancing cooperation with partners on investigation and prosecution. The Convention’s frameworks will support technical assistance, training, information-sharing, and cross-border collaboration.

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 24 December 2024, the UN Convention against Cybercrime aims to strengthen international cooperation, harmonise national laws, facilitate evidence-sharing, and support capacity building through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).