Angola Addresses Ad Hoc Committee on Combating Criminal Use of ICTs

Angola has been participating in the 7th and final session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate an International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. The session aims to address and formulate strategies to counter the misuse of information and communication technologies for criminal activities. The convention seeks to establish international cooperation and frameworks to combat cybercrime, ensuring a coordinated and effective response to challenges posed by technology-related criminal activities.

The 7th and final session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate an International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes will continue until February 9th. During this session, the committee will discuss drafts of the revised text of the convention and resolution of the General Assembly. The adoption of the final report is also on the agenda.

The Angolan delegation, headed by Deputy Attorney General of the Republic Gilberto Mizalaque, is actively participating in the ongoing work sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee. The delegation includes senior staff members from the Auxiliary Bodies of the Presidency of the Republic and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Their active engagement in the sessions, which commenced in February 2022, underscores Angola's commitment to contributing valuable insights and perspectives to enrich the development of the international convention aimed at countering the misuse of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for criminal purposes.

Angola's focus in the ongoing session is centered on the chapter related to the criminalization of computer crimes. This encompasses addressing new trends in crimes such as child sexual abuse or the exploitation of child sexual material through computer means. The Angolan delegation is also actively engaged in discussions on procedural measures, international cooperation, including technical assistance in the sharing of electronic evidence. Additionally, the delegation is emphasizing the importance of using electronic evidence in the investigation of serious crimes. This targeted approach reflects Angola's commitment to addressing and countering evolving challenges related to cybercrime and leveraging international collaboration for effective solutions.

The Ad Hoc Committee was established through General Assembly resolution 74/247 with the mandate to develop a comprehensive international convention specifically focused on countering the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for criminal purposes. The committee includes experts representing all member nations and operates with the objective of considering existing international instruments and efforts in each member state related to combatting cybercrime. The ultimate goal is to formulate a convention that addresses the challenges posed by the misuse of ICT for criminal activities, fostering international cooperation and a unified approach to tackling cyber threats.