Papua New Guinea is among 65 countries that have signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in a global commitment to strengthen cooperation and combat the rising threat of cybercrime.
The signing took place on 25 October 2025 at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam, where Steven Matainaho, Secretary for the Department of Information and Communications Technology, signed on behalf of the State under the authorization of Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
He was accompanied by Oala Moi, Chief Legal Officer of NICTA, who was involved in 2024 treaty negotiations.
This follows two recent Cabinet decisions for PNG to ratify international conventions on cybercrime, making Papua New Guinea one of the few Pacific countries now to start the ratification journey for international frameworks on cybercrime. Next month, PNG is expected to deposit an accession instrument for the pioneering cybercrime international convention, the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention). Acceding to both the Hanoi Convention and the Budapest Convention will provide a foundation for PNG for stronger cooperation, harmonized laws, and coordinated responses to digital threats.
Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing global challenges, with losses exceeding USD 9.5 trillion in 2024 and projected to surpass USD 10.5 trillion in 2025. It affects citizens, economies, and governments alike, demanding collaboration across borders to protect digital trust and security.
The Department of ICT (DICT), as the supporting agency on policy and legislative matters relating to cybercrime, will now work with the United Nations and the Council of Europe to review and modernize our national laws and institutions.
This includes updating the Cybercrime Code Act, Electronic Transactions Act, introducing Digital ID, Cybersecurity, Data Protection legislation and strengthening coordination between DICT, the National ICT Authority, the Police Cybercrime Unit, and the impending eSafety Directorate.
This will be one of the most important reforms for our digital sector and is expected to be a complete reset to ensure Papua New Guinea is prepared, protected, and resilient in the digital space and in the digital age.
The United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024. It will enter into force 90 days after being ratified by the 40th signatory.