ASTANA — Kazakhstan has proposed establishing a United Nations regional center to combat cybercrime in Astana, as representatives from 27 countries and international organizations gathered in the capital on Nov. 4-5 to discuss cross-border investigations, digital fraud and new tools to counter online criminal networks.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
According to the Astana office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the proposed center would help authorities identify links between international criminal networks, analyze emerging threats and adopt new investigative technologies. It would also provide specialized training for law enforcement and judicial personnel and support joint cyber exercises.
The initiative has received support from UN leadership, while Kazakhstan and UNODC are developing the concept for the center. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the necessary infrastructure is already in place.
International cooperation against cybercrime
The International Conference on Combating Cybercrime, jointly organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and UNODC with support from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), brought together law enforcement officials, digital security experts, financial institutions and technology companies from Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the United States.
Addressing the conference, Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov said criminal groups are increasingly using artificial intelligence, voice and image impersonation technologies, anonymous online platforms and cryptocurrencies to carry out fraud and conceal illicit transactions.
“Cybercrime knows no borders. A criminal may be in one country, the victim in another, and the stolen money can pass through bank accounts in several countries in a matter of minutes. That is why we need to act together,” said Sadenov.
He also proposed making the Astana conference an annual event to maintain regular dialogue among international partners.
UNODC Regional Representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan Oliver Stolpe welcomed Kazakhstan’s proposal for a regional center, noting that tackling cybercrime requires involvement beyond law enforcement.
“Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, and our response must evolve even faster. No country can meet these challenges alone. Success depends on cooperation among governments, law enforcement and judicial authorities, the private sector, academia, civil society and international organizations,” said Stolpe.
Expanding international legal cooperation
Kazakhstan has expanded its participation in international agreements governing cybercrime investigations and access to electronic evidence.
On Sept. 30, Kazakhstan ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime, commonly known as the Budapest Convention, which establishes mechanisms for investigating cybercrime and obtaining electronic evidence across borders.
Kazakhstan was also among the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in October 2025, with ratification currently underway. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, the treaty establishes a global framework for international cooperation in cybercrime investigations.
As of Nov. 4, the convention had 96 signatories, including the European Union, but only three countries – Azerbaijan, Qatar and Vietnam – had ratified it. The agreement requires 40 ratifications to enter into force.
Beyond these legal frameworks, Kazakhstan has stepped up cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies to dismantle fraudulent call centers, including those operating abroad, investigate the illegal trade in personal data and trace stolen funds.
Authorities have also expanded cooperation with major technology platforms, including Google, Meta and TikTok, to identify online fraud schemes.
According to the ministry, measures taken over the past two years have contributed to a 21% decline in online fraud cases in Kazakhstan. Current prevention efforts focus on detecting scams before financial losses occur, improving digital literacy and protecting people particularly vulnerable to online fraud.
Cybercrime specialists demonstrate new technologies
The conference featured an international hackathon supported by INTERPOL, bringing together 38 specialists from 13 countries and representatives of 20 regional cybercrime units within Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Participants demonstrated technical solutions designed to detect cybercrime and assist investigations, while an accompanying exhibition showcased digital security technologies developed in Kazakhstan and abroad for law enforcement agencies and financial institutions.
The conference participants also adopted a joint statement outlining priorities for future cooperation, including faster exchanges of information and electronic evidence, improved investigative methods and specialized training. The statement also identified cybercrime prevention, technology sharing and stronger international partnerships as areas for joint action.
