🇱🇰 Major Step for Cyber Safety: Sri Lanka Signs UN Cybercrime Convention 🌐

• Sri Lanka last week signed the historic UN Convention Against Cybercrime (UNCC) in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, becoming one of 72 UN Member States and the EU to join the first-ever UN Convention of this nature. • Regional Focus: Sri Lanka and Maldives are the only two South Asian countries to have signed the UNCC so far, highlighting a strong commitment to international cybersecurity cooperation. • Strategic Alignment: The move, spearheaded by the Digital Economy Ministry, reinforces Sri Lanka’s commitment to its National Cyber Protection Strategy (2025-2029) and Digital Economy Blueprint. • Domestic Mechanism: The Cabinet has directed the Digital Economy Ministry to initiate an inter-Ministerial mechanism to prepare for the Convention's ratification within three months, focusing on legal and technical readiness. • Focal Point: The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SL-CERT) is designated as the national focal point for this landmark UN Convention. • Precedent: This new engagement builds on Sri Lanka’s previous efforts, having been the first State party in South Asia to join the Budapest Cybercrime Convention back in 2015.