Kenya, Malawi, and Papua New Guinea have been invited to join the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, following the 1509th Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on October 9, 2024. This five-year invitation stems from capacity-building initiatives by the Council of Europe and aims to enhance cybersecurity cooperation among 96 member states.
On October 9, 2024, during the 1509th Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, it was announced that Kenya, Malawi, and Papua New Guinea have received invitations to accede to the Convention on Cybercrime, widely known as the Budapest Convention. This invitation is effective for a period of five years from the date of its adoption and is supported by various capacity-building initiatives organized through the Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC).
Acceding to the Budapest Convention enables these countries to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks and will allow for increased support from the Council of Europe, particularly through the GLACY-e and Octopus Project initiatives. Currently, following these invitations, there are a total of 76 states that are parties to the Convention, alongside two additional states that have signed it, with 18 states having been invited to accede. This brings the total number of parties and observers in the Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY) to 96.
The Budapest Convention, which was adopted in 2001, is the first binding international agreement aimed at combating cybercrime, promoting international cooperation, and establishing a legal framework for the prosecution and investigation of cyber-related offenses. The Council of Europe and its Cybercrime Programme Office work tirelessly to support states in building their capacity to prevent and respond to cybercrime effectively. Important initiatives like the GLACY-e and Octopus Projects provide the necessary resources and training for countries to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure and enhance cooperation with international partners.
In summary, the invitation extended to Kenya, Malawi, and Papua New Guinea to join the Budapest Convention marks a significant step in strengthening global cybersecurity efforts. With the support of the Council of Europe’s programs, these nations will be better equipped to combat cybercrime. The overall increase in membership among nations highlights the collective commitment toward improving cybersecurity measures at an international level.
Original Source: www.coe.int
