Saudi Arabia Signs the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), represented by His Excellency Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), has signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, becoming among the first countries to join this landmark international treaty under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).

The signing reflects the Kingdom’s continued commitment to supporting international efforts in order to enhance security and stability in cyberspace and to strengthening global cooperation in combating cybercrime.

The signing took place as H.E. Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed led the Saudi delegation participating in the High-Level Event held on the sidelines of the Convention’s signing in Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, from October 25 to 26, 2025. The event was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Luong Cuong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and attended by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna; as well as ministers, ambassadors of UN Member States, and representatives of international organizations.

The Convention against Cybercrime represents the first multilateral treaty to address crime under the United Nations’ framework in more than two decades and the first binding international instrument dedicated to combating cybercrime. It was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime, established to draft an international convention on the criminal misuse of information and communications technologies. The Kingdom actively participated in all stages of the drafting and negotiation process, contributing to the development of the final adopted text.

The Convention comes at a time of escalating global cyber threats and aims to promote international cooperation, enhance preventive and investigative measures, and build technical and institutional capacities to counter cybercrime effectively. It also criminalizes a range of offenses, including unauthorized access to computer systems, interference with or alteration of data, and cybercrimes related to child sexual exploitation.

The NCA is the national entity in charge of cybersecurity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and serves as the national authority and reference in all its affairs. It is the official representative of Saudi Arabia in regional and international forums related to cybersecurity. NCA is also responsible for strengthening cybersecurity, protecting vital national interests and critical infrastructure, and overseeing the implementation of the Kingdom’s international obligations in this field.