Nepal to Host Global Conference on Digital Age Crimes

The Office of the Attorney General of Nepal is poised to host the International Conference on Crimes of the Digital Age: Anticipation and Response, scheduled for February 27-28, 2025, in Kathmandu. This significant event aims to address the rapidly evolving challenges posed by crimes facilitated by advanced technologies.

In a press briefing held on February 25, Attorney General Ramesh Badal emphasized the conference’s focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), digital economic crimes, and cyber-enabled offenses. The event will spotlight innovative strategies for investigating, prosecuting, and preventing technology-driven crimes. Key topics include technology-facilitated sexual violence and abuse (TFSVA), cybersecurity crimes, cryptocurrency-related offenses, and AI-enabled criminal activities.

The conference is set to bring together over 90 government attorneys, legal experts, judges, and representatives from legal fraternities across 13 nations, including Nepal, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the Maldives, South Korea, Azerbaijan, India, China, Sri Lanka, Norway, and Russia. From Nepal, participants will include representatives from the Supreme Court, Nepal Rastra Bank, various ministries, and other institutions. A total of 16 working papers will be presented across multiple sessions, fostering in-depth discussions and collaborative approaches to combating digital-age crimes.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to inaugurate the conference, underscoring the Nepalese government’s commitment to addressing cyber-related challenges. The event aims to facilitate international experience exchange and institutional capacity improvement in tackling technology-driven crimes.

Attorney General Ramesh Badal, appointed on July 17, 2024, by President Ramchandra Paudel upon the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, brings a wealth of experience to this initiative. Having previously served as Attorney General from March to July 2021, Badal has been instrumental in shaping Nepal’s legal landscape concerning emerging technological threats.

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The conference will delve into the complexities of modern cybercrimes, recognizing that the digital age has introduced sophisticated methods of criminal activity. By focusing on areas such as TFSVA, the event seeks to develop comprehensive strategies to protect vulnerable populations from online exploitation. Additionally, discussions on cybersecurity will address the protection of critical infrastructure and personal data from breaches and attacks.

The inclusion of topics like cryptocurrency-related offenses highlights the need to understand and regulate digital financial transactions, which have become a conduit for illicit activities. Furthermore, exploring AI-enabled crimes will provide insights into how artificial intelligence can be misused and the legal frameworks required to mitigate such risks.

The International Conference on Crimes of the Digital Age represents a proactive step by Nepal to engage with international experts, share knowledge, and develop robust mechanisms to combat the multifaceted nature of digital-age crimes. By fostering collaboration among nations, the event aspires to build a safer and more secure digital environment for all.

This news is sourced from The Himalayan Times and is intended for informational purposes only.