Ad Hoc Consultation: Tuesday 30th January, Morning session

30 Jan 2024 16:00h - 19:00h

Table of contents

Disclaimer: This is not an official record of the WEF session. The DiploAI system automatically generates these resources from the audiovisual recording. Resources are presented in their original format, as provided by the AI (e.g. including any spelling mistakes). The accuracy of these resources cannot be guaranteed. The official record of the session can be found on the WEF YouTube channel.

Full session report

Delegates Debate Key Terms as They Strive to Finalise Cybercrime Convention Text

During the session of the Ad Hoc Committee, delegates from various countries engaged in a detailed and complex discussion aimed at finalizing the text of a convention to combat cybercrime. The Vice Chair initiated the meeting by introducing a speech timer to ensure efficient use of the limited time available, with each delegate granted three minutes to speak. The Chair also expressed gratitude to China and the United States for their financial contributions, which supported the organization of the session beyond the budget provided by the United Nations.

A significant part of the discussion revolved around the wording of the convention’s articles, particularly those defining criminal offenses and the conditions under which they apply. Delegates debated the inclusion of terms such as “transfer of technology” and “capacity building” in the convention’s purpose, as outlined in Article 1. Representatives from Egypt and the African group were vocal proponents of these inclusions, highlighting their importance for assisting developing countries in combating the use of ICT for criminal purposes.

The committee also grappled with the use of “dishonest intent” versus “unlawful intent” in the description of offenses. Several delegations, including the Russian Federation and Iran, proposed replacing “dishonest intent” with “unlawful intent” or similar legal terminology to align with their domestic laws. This suggestion received mixed support, with countries like Australia and Vanuatu arguing that “dishonest intent” provides clear parameters for when conduct would be considered an offense.

Another contentious issue was the classification of certain actions as “theft” or “fraud” within the context of cybercrime, particularly in relation to Article 12. Some delegates argued that the term “theft” did not fit the context of the article and should be limited to “fraud,” as the acts described in the article relate more to computer fraud. However, others, including India, Iran, and China, insisted on retaining “theft” in the title for greater interpretive flexibility across different legal systems.

Despite progress, consensus was not reached on several articles, and further consultations were deemed necessary. The Vice Chair frequently urged delegates to consider whether the text as it stands is implementable and efficient for their jurisdictions. The Chair reminded delegates of their sovereignty and the right to make laws within their domestic jurisdiction, suggesting that they could add aggravating circumstances or tweak the convention’s provisions as needed.

The session concluded with the understanding that delegates would continue to work towards consensus, particularly on language that could find common ground. The meeting was adjourned until later in the day for further deliberation, with the expectation that delegates would engage in discussions amongst themselves to resolve outstanding issues and finalize the text of the convention.

A

Albania

Speech speed

84 words per minute

Speech length

21 words

Speech time

15 secs

A

Algeria

Speech speed

154 words per minute

Speech length

43 words

Speech time

17 secs

A

Australia

Speech speed

103 words per minute

Speech length

158 words

Speech time

92 secs

A

Austria

Speech speed

96 words per minute

Speech length

660 words

Speech time

411 secs

B

Bahrain

Speech speed

130 words per minute

Speech length

66 words

Speech time

30 secs

B

Belarus

Speech speed

126 words per minute

Speech length

67 words

Speech time

32 secs

CV

Cabo Verde

Speech speed

133 words per minute

Speech length

36 words

Speech time

16 secs

C

Cameroon

Speech speed

112 words per minute

Speech length

590 words

Speech time

315 secs

C

Canada

Speech speed

107 words per minute

Speech length

103 words

Speech time

58 secs

C

China

Speech speed

133 words per minute

Speech length

32 words

Speech time

14 secs

CR

Costa Rica

Speech speed

141 words per minute

Speech length

347 words

Speech time

148 secs

E

Egypt

Speech speed

119 words per minute

Speech length

1079 words

Speech time

545 secs

ES

El Salvador

Speech speed

119 words per minute

Speech length

120 words

Speech time

61 secs

EU

European Union

Speech speed

172 words per minute

Speech length

179 words

Speech time

62 secs

G

Guyana

Speech speed

148 words per minute

Speech length

387 words

Speech time

157 secs

I

India

Speech speed

152 words per minute

Speech length

94 words

Speech time

37 secs

I

Iran

Speech speed

119 words per minute

Speech length

799 words

Speech time

404 secs

I

Israel

Speech speed

135 words per minute

Speech length

52 words

Speech time

23 secs

J

Jamaica

Speech speed

163 words per minute

Speech length

235 words

Speech time

87 secs

J

Japan

Speech speed

133 words per minute

Speech length

334 words

Speech time

151 secs

M

Mauritania

Speech speed

101 words per minute

Speech length

377 words

Speech time

224 secs

N

Namibia

Speech speed

120 words per minute

Speech length

98 words

Speech time

49 secs

N

Nigeria

Speech speed

125 words per minute

Speech length

334 words

Speech time

160 secs

N

Norway

Speech speed

153 words per minute

Speech length

33 words

Speech time

13 secs

PN

Papua New Guinea

Speech speed

119 words per minute

Speech length

101 words

Speech time

51 secs

P

Peru

Speech speed

92 words per minute

Speech length

164 words

Speech time

108 secs

Q

Qatar

Speech speed

76 words per minute

Speech length

56 words

Speech time

44 secs

RF

Russian Federation

Speech speed

119 words per minute

Speech length

1428 words

Speech time

722 secs

R

Rwanda

Speech speed

125 words per minute

Speech length

44 words

Speech time

21 secs

S

Senegal

Speech speed

125 words per minute

Speech length

881 words

Speech time

423 secs

SA

South Africa

Speech speed

164 words per minute

Speech length

290 words

Speech time

106 secs

SA

Syrian Arab Republic

Speech speed

135 words per minute

Speech length

270 words

Speech time

120 secs

T

Thailand

Speech speed

131 words per minute

Speech length

112 words

Speech time

51 secs

T

Tunisia

Speech speed

121 words per minute

Speech length

63 words

Speech time

31 secs

UK

United KIngdom

Speech speed

133 words per minute

Speech length

173 words

Speech time

78 secs

US

United States

Speech speed

155 words per minute

Speech length

1115 words

Speech time

432 secs

V

Vanuatu

Speech speed

95 words per minute

Speech length

186 words

Speech time

117 secs

VC

Vice Chair

Speech speed

109 words per minute

Speech length

8173 words

Speech time

4499 secs

Y

Yemen

Speech speed

125 words per minute

Speech length

692 words

Speech time

331 secs

Z

Zimbabwe

Speech speed

153 words per minute

Speech length

202 words

Speech time

79 secs