The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, on behalf of the Government of Maldives, has signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime during a ceremony held in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

Addressing the high-level plenary following the signing, Minister Khaleel emphasized that the Convention forms a vital component of the Maldives’ national digital strategy. He highlighted the Government’s goal of increasing the digital economy’s contribution to 15% of GDP by 2030, as part of the “Maldives 2.0” transformation aimed at building a transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric digital ecosystem.

The Minister also noted the establishment of the National Cyber Security Agency, underscoring its role in safeguarding citizens, critical infrastructure, and the economy from cyber threats.

Acknowledging the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) due to limited resources and technical capacity, Minister Khaleel affirmed that these challenges would not constrain the Maldives’ ambitions.

Through the Convention, he said, the Maldives reaffirms its commitment to preventing and combating cybercrime, aligning national laws with international standards, and enhancing cooperation with global partners in investigation, prosecution, and capacity building.

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 24 December 2024, the UN Convention against Cybercrime aims to strengthen international collaboration by harmonising national legislation, facilitating evidence-sharing, and supporting capacity development through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).