European Council Adopts Decision to Sign United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime

Strategic Insights -

The European Council has taken a crucial step to combat cybercrime by adopting a decision authorising the European Commission and member states to sign the United Nations Convention against cybercrime. This international treaty aims to enhance cooperation on cybercrime and the exchange of electronic evidence, promoting harmonisation of criminalisation of conduct of certain cyber-related offences. The Convention will be open for signatures from October 25, 2025, until December 31, 2026, and will enter into force after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Council has adopted a decision to sign the United Nations Convention against cybercrime, aiming to combat cybercrime through enhanced cooperation and exchange of electronic evidence.
  • The Convention puts in place common rules at a global level to criminalise certain cyber-related offences, such as IT fraud and illegal interception, making them a criminal offence in participating countries' national legislation.
  • All signatories commit to cooperate in investigating and prosecuting criminal offences under the Convention, including the collection and sharing of electronic evidence.
  • The Convention also applies to serious crimes like international organised crime, punishable by a prison sentence of at least four years.
  • The EU (and other regional economic integration organisations) can sign and ratify the Convention if at least one of its member states signs and ratifies it.
  • The Convention will open for signatures on October 25, 2025, until December 31, 2026, and will enter into force after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification.
  • The finalisation of the corresponding Council decision for the EU and its member states to conclude the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime will be prioritised, with the consent of the European Parliament.
  • Cybercrime has been identified as a growing threat to the security of citizens and businesses in the EU, with a dramatic increase in volumes, intensity, and harm potential since 2024.
  • Electronic evidence has increasingly gained importance in criminal investigations, as highlighted in the Europol threat assessment from 2024.

Statistics:

  • The European Council adopted the decision on October 13, 2025 (Wam).
  • The Convention will be open for signatures from October 25, 2025, until December 31, 2026.
  • The Convention will enter into force after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification.
  • Cybercrime has seen a dramatic increase in volume, intensity, and harm potential since 2024, according to the Europol threat assessment.
  • Electronic evidence has gained importance in criminal investigations, as highlighted in the Europol threat assessment from 2024.

Sources:

  • (Wam) - Brussels -- 13 Oct 2025
  • Europol threat assessment from 2024
  • United Nations Convention against Cybercrime adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 2024