A roundtable discussion, organized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held on the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi on October 25-26, 2025. The roundtable discussion focused on capacity building and technical assistance.
Artur R. Lyukmanov, Director of the Department of International Information Security of the MFA of Russia and a Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cooperation in the Field of Information Security, delivered a welcoming address. He noted the importance of the Convention as a universal instrument aimed at consolidating the efforts of states in combating crimes in the ICT environment.
In his video address, the President of the National Association for International Information Security (NAIIS) Boris N. Miroshnikov emphasized the importance of signing the Convention, which incorporates considerable experience in combating the illegal use of ICTs in various countries. The document creates a foundation for most active cooperation, primarily among law enforcement agencies, as well as other governmental and non-governmental institutions in many different countries, regardless of their form of government or level of digitalization. The President of the Association expressed his conviction that only joint, targeted work and an open exchange of operational information can significantly reduce ICT crime. (The text of video address can be found below).
Stanislav K. Kuznetsov, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank and member of the Supervisory Board of NAIIS, presented an overview of the cyber threat landscape in the BRICS countries. He emphasized that today the states are facing an increasing number of AI-enabled attacks. Particular attention was given to Vietnam, where the number of AI-enabled cyber incidents has tripled over the past year. The speaker expressed his conviction that international cooperation within alliances and integration groups is crucial for developing collective responses. In this regard, he proposed initiating the creation of a BRICS Cybersecurity Alliance.
Arevik Zh. Martirosyan, a NAIIS member, the researcher at the Institute of Current International Problems at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Director of the School of International Information Security, in her presentation observed the challenges associated with the use of AI in the context of the implementation of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, as well as the Diplomatic Academy’s contribution to the training of IIS specialists.
The event also featured speeches by Lieutenant General Nguyễn Minh Chính, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Cybersecurity of Vietnam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Cybersecurity Association of Vietnam; Glen Prichard, Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Judge Mohammad El Zend, Chair of the Egyptian National Committee for Preventing and Combating Cybercrime; Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Director General for Global Governance at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa; Stanislav Vasiliev, Head of the Analytical Support Department at the Directorate for Control over Investigative Bodies of the Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation; Ekaterina Bardina, Chief Expert and Specialist of the Department for Interaction with International Organizations and Associations at the Administration for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia; Valeria Belous, Deputy Head of the Office for International Aspects of Cybersecurity of the Cybersecurity Department of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation; and Alan Khubaev, Head of International Projects at Rostelecom-Solar.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which participants emphasized their willingness to continue constructive dialogue on the implementation of the Convention and the exchange of best practices in combating cybercrime.
Text of the video message by the President of the National Association of International Information Security Mr Boris Miroshnikov on the occasion of the signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi, 25-26 October 2025)
Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen!
On behalf of the Russian National Association for International Information Security and on my own behalf, I would like to welcome the participants to the historic signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
I would like to express special gratitude to the hospitable organizers for providing excellent conditions for this landmark event.
The presented document is the result of extensive and difficult work by a large team of specialists and experts. The Convention incorporates significant experience in combating the illegal use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in various countries, and builds on the long-standing application of the well-known Budapest Convention 2001. However, the current treaty, elaborated within the United Nations, is a new and modern documented agreement that is free from the previously identified shortcomings.
We are certainly proud that the Convention, which is open for signature in Hanoi, was developed on Russia’s initiative. However, what matters to us above all is the constructive content of this international agreement. Therefore, we will support any initiative, irrespective of origin, provided that it reflects the existing needs of societies and the peoples of the world.
I was privileged to take part in the establishment of cybercrime units in Russia and to forge effective and efficient cooperation with colleagues from other countries in combating computer crimes. Up to this day, I remain grateful to them for their excellent creative work, which brought the first results in the fight against international cybercrime. Thus, I have the right to draw a clear-cut conclusion: only joint, determined efforts and the open exchange of operational information can ensure, if not the complete victory over ICT-crime, then at least its significant reduction.
And this is where the current Convention comes in, creating a framework for enhanced cooperation – primarily among law enforcement agencies – but also among other governmental and non-governmental institutions across a wide range of countries, regardless of their form of government or level of digitalization. Its status as a UN instrument grants the necessary authority and attracts new independent states wishing to find their place among the fighters against growing cybercrime. It is important to enshrine a State’s digital sovereignty as a fundamental principle in organizing cooperation to combat the illegal use of ICT.
Our Association is proud of its modest contribution to the elaboration of this Convention in various forums, including participation in the activities of the UN Open-ended Working Group on ICT Security.
Going forward, we will continue to facilitate the implementation of the Convention’s fruitful ideas and the improvement of the instrument itself. Meaning as well further work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the elaboration of an Additional Protocol to the Convention and establishment in 2026 of a Global Mechanism for ICT-Security within the United Nations.
I am confident that by combining the efforts of governments, businesses, and civil society, we can facilitate the early entry into force of the Convention and make cyberspace secure and accessible for all people.
I sincerely wish all participants fruitful work and many successes!
Thank you for your attention!
