In a significant UN Concluding Session on Cybercrime, Mr. Seila Samleang, Executive Director of APLE Cambodia, represented the organization at the United Nations’s Concluding Session on the Cybercrime Convention. This pivotal event took place from January 29th to February 9th, 2024, at the UN Headquarters in New York, drawing experts and delegates from around the world to address the escalating challenges of cybercrime.
The discussions underscored the urgent need for international cooperation in criminalizing cybercrime, protecting human rights, and curbing the spread of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) material. The session revealed a strong, shared commitment among state parties to not only fight cybercrime but also to ensure the safety and security of the most vulnerable in the digital sphere.
APLE, through its participation, advocated for a comprehensive approach to combat cybercrime. The organization emphasized the importance of capacity building, technical assistance, and technology transfer, highlighting these elements as crucial for enhancing global cyber resilience. Furthermore, APLE stressed the need for collaborative efforts among governments, NGOs, academia, and the private sector to forge effective and sustainable solutions.
A key focus of APLE’s message was the prioritization of victim justice and support for vulnerable individuals within anti-cybercrime strategies. This aligns with the organization’s long-standing mission to safeguard children and other at-risk groups from digital harms.
The invitation by the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) for APLE to participate in this concluding session is a testament to the organization’s esteemed role in the global fight against cybercrime. APLE’s involvement in such high-level discussions reinforces its commitment to leading and supporting international efforts to protect individuals, especially children, in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
