Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has thrown its weight behind the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, saying the proposed global legal framework will strengthen national cyber governance, protect the digital economy and boost investor confidence in the country’s rapidly expanding information and communication technology sector.
Addressing a formal session of the open-ended Ad-Hoc Intergovernmental Committee in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Dr Gift Machengete, who is representing Zimbabwe, said the Convention would enhance international cooperation and unlock the much-needed technical assistance and capacity-building support for developing countries.
“The Convention will pave the way for effective and efficient international cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime, while enhancing technical assistance and capacity-building,” he said.
Dr Machengete said such measures were critical to safeguarding digital services, cross-border data flows and emerging technologies.
Zimbabwe views the Convention as a timely instrument aligned with its national priorities on digital transformation, innovation-led growth and the expansion of e-commerce and financial technology services.
Dr Machengete said stronger mechanisms for evidence-sharing and cross-border cooperation would help reduce cyber risks that erode consumer trust and discourage investment.
UN member States were challenged to move swiftly towards signing and ratifying the Convention and to engage constructively in negotiations on an additional protocol, in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/243.
The protocol should address the growing threat of cyber-enabled crimes targeting critical infrastructure, financial systems and public services, added Dr Machengete.
On governance issues, he said the Conference of the States Parties should remain a technical and intergovernmental platform focused on implementation, cooperation and capacity-building.
Dr Machengete also called for the rules of procedure to be aligned with those of the UN Conventions against Transnational Organised Crime and Corruption to ensure consistency and legal certainty.
While acknowledging the contribution of non-governmental organisations, civil society, academia and the private sector, he said their participation should be carefully regulated to preserve the technical nature of deliberations and respect State sovereignty.
