Papua New Guinea is among 65 states that have signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in a global commitment to strengthen cooperation and combat the rising threat of cybercrime, a cabinet minister says.
Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili Jr said: “Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing global challenges, with losses exceeding US$9.5 trillion (about K39.9 trillion) in 2024 and projected to surpass US$10.5 trillion (about K44.1 trillion) in 2025.”
The signing took place on 25 October at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam, where Steven Matainaho, Secretary for the Department of Information and Communications Technology, signed on behalf of Papua New Guinea.
He was accompanied by chief legal officer of Nicta Oala Moi.
Tsiamalili said this followed two recent Cabinet decisions to ratify international conventions on cybercrime, making PNG 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.
Acceding to both the Hanoi Convention and the Budapest Convention would provide a foundation for PNG for stronger cooperation, harmonised laws, and coordinated responses to digital threats.
Tsiamalili said cybercrime affected citizens, economies and governments, demanding collaboration to protect digital trust and security. “The department will now work with the United Nations and the Council of Europe to review and modernise our national laws and institutions,” he said.
“This includes updating the Cybercrime Code Act, Electronic Transactions Act, introducing Digital ID, Cybersecurity, Data Protection legislation and strengthening coordination between the department, Nicta, the police Cybercrime Unit and other agencies,” he said.
