EU Statement – UN General Assembly 4th Committee: Questions related to information
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Mr. Chair, Madam Under-Secretary-General, distinguished delegates,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Georgia, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chair,
At a time when the world is faced with profound challenges — war and conflict, climate emergency, and the pushback against multilateralism — the role of the United Nations as an accurate, reliable and principled communicator has never been more vital.
The Department of Global Communications stands at the heart of this mission.
Through its tireless work, it gives voice to those on the frontlines of crisis, sheds light on the work of UN staff on the ground, and upholds the values that unite us: commitment to peace, sustainable development and human rights.
We commend the Department for its impressive range of activities outlined in the Secretary-General’s latest report — from crisis communications in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti, to advancing sustainable development and climate action, to defending human rights, to upholding information integrity and countering hate speech.
These are acts of service to humanity. Helping people everywhere to understand, engage with, and trust the work of the United Nations.
Presidente,
La Unión Europea celebra el fortalecimiento del enfoque sobre integridad de la información.
En un mundo donde la manipulación y la injerencia informativa se propagan más rápido que los hechos, la salvaguarda de dichos hechos se convierte en un imperativo moral y democrático.
Los Principios Globales de las Naciones Unidas sobre la Integridad de la Información, elaborados bajo el liderazgo del Departamento, representan un hito.
Constituyen un marco para construir un ecosistema informativo más íntegro: uno que proteja los derechos humanos, promueva el pluralismo y fomente el pensamiento crítico.
La Unión Europea está firmemente comprometida con el avance de este asunto.
Nos enorgullece apoyar aquellas iniciativas destinadas a fortalecer medios de comunicación independientes, libres y plurales, así como a impulsar la alfabetización sobre información y medios.
Asimismo, queremos subrayar que la protección de los periodistas y profesionales de los medios de comunicación no es negociable. Especialmente en zonas de conflicto, su seguridad y acceso deben garantizarse mediante mecanismos internacionales sólidos. La información veraz no debe convertirse en una víctima más de la guerra.
Distinguidos delegados, delegadas,
La tecnología, en particular la inteligencia artificial, tiene un enorme potencial para transformar la forma en que nos comunicamos, aprendemos y conectamos los unos con los otros.
Pero también plantea nuevos riesgos.
La IA puede utilizarse para crear, amplificar y automatizar la desinformación a una escala sin precedentes.
Por ello, la Unión Europea apoya firmemente el llamamiento a un uso seguro, fiable y digno de confianza de la inteligencia artificial, tal y como se reafirma en las resoluciones de este año.
Debemos asegurarnos de que la tecnología se desarrolle en beneficio de la humanidad.
La innovación debe guiarse por los derechos humanos y la transparencia.
La exploración por parte del Departamento del uso de herramientas de IA para mejorar la traducción y el multilingüismo constituye un ejemplo prometedor de tecnología puesta al servicio del bien común.
Usada de forma responsable, con supervisión y control humanos, puede ayudar a superar divisiones y a hacer que las Naciones Unidas sean más inclusivas, más accesibles y más eficaces.
[Mr. Chair,
The European Union welcomes the strengthened focus on information integrity.
In a world where information manipulation and interference spreads faster than facts, safeguarding facts is a moral and democratic imperative.
The UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, developed under the leadership of the Department, represent a milestone.
They provide a framework for building a healthier information ecosystem. One that protects human rights, promotes pluralism, and empowers critical thinking.
The EU is deeply committed to advancing this agenda.
We are proud to support initiatives that strengthen independent, free and pluralistic media and enhance media and information literacy.
We also stress: the protection of journalists and media professionals is non-negotiable. Especially in conflict zones, their safety and access must be guaranteed through strong international mechanisms. Reliable information must not become a casualty of war.
Distinguished delegates,
Technology, especially artificial intelligence, holds tremendous potential to transform how we communicate, learn, and connect.
But it also poses new risks. AI can be used to create, amplify, and automate disinformation on a scale never seen before.
This is why the EU strongly supports the call for a safe, secure and trustworthy AI, as reaffirmed in this year’s resolutions.
We must ensure that technology is developed in the service of humanity.
Innovation must be guided by human rights and transparency.
The Department’s exploration of AI tools to support translation and multilingualism is a promising example of technology put to good use.
Used responsibly, with human agency and oversight, it can help bridge divides and make the United Nations more inclusive, more accessible, and more effective.]
Monsieur le Président,
Le multilinguisme est au cœur même du multilatéralisme.
Il constitue une valeur fondamentale de l’Organisation, ainsi qu’un engagement en faveur de l’égalité, de la diversité et de l’inclusion.
L’Union européenne réaffirme son soutien indéfectible à l’utilisation pleine et équitable des six langues officielles dans l’ensemble des travaux du Département.
Un multilinguisme équilibré renforce la légitimité des Nations Unies et garantit que ses messages trouvent un écho auprès des peuples dans toutes les régions du monde.
Nous encourageons la poursuite des efforts visant à intégrer pleinement ce principe dans le travail du Département.
Excellences,
Nous souhaitons également saluer le travail dévoué des Centres d’information des Nations Unies, qui constituent la voix de l’ONU sur le terrain.
Ils traduisent les priorités mondiales en réalités locales et rapprochent l’action de l’Organisation aux communautés du monde entier.
Leur contribution — qu’il s’agisse de la promotion des Objectifs de développement durable, de la mobilisation en faveur de l’action climatique ou de la défense de l’intégrité de l’information — est essentielle pour faire en sorte que personne ne soit laissé de côté dans la conversation mondiale.
[Mr. Chair,
Multilingualism lies at the very heart of multilateralism.
It is a core value of the Organization and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusiveness.
The EU reiterates its unwavering support for the full and equitable use of all six official languages across the Department’s work.
Balanced multilingualism strengthens the legitimacy of the United Nations and ensures that its messages resonate with people in every corner of the world.
We encourage continued streamlining of this principle in the Department’s work.
Excellencies,
We also want to acknowledge the dedicated work of the UN Information Centres, which serve as the UN’s voice in the field.
They translate global priorities into local realities and bring the work of this Organization closer to communities everywhere.
Their efforts — from promoting the Sustainable Development Goals to mobilizing climate action and upholding information integrity — are essential to ensuring that no one is left behind in the global conversation.]
Mr. Chair,
As the United Nations marks its eightieth session, we must renew our collective commitment to trust and transparency.
Public information is central to the mission of this Organization.
It is through communication that we build understanding.
It is through understanding that we build trust.
And it is through trust that we sustain peace.
Let us therefore work together — Member States, civil society, the private sector, academia and the media — to uphold the principles of freedom of expression, access to information, and respect for diversity.
In closing, the European Union reaffirms its unwavering support for the Department of Global Communications and for the values it stands for.
In the spirit of constructive cooperation and consensus, let us continue to make the United Nations a beacon of integrity, a voice of reason and a symbol of hope for generations to come.
Thank you.
EU Questions – Interactive Dialogue (with the Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications) – to be checked against delivery
1. On information integrity and artificial intelligence
The EU welcomes the Department’s continued leadership in advancing the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity and notes the expanded references to a safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence in this year’s resolutions.
Could the Under-Secretary-General elaborate on how the Department plans to operationalize these principles — particularly in light of the rapid evolution of AI-generated disinformation — and how Member States could best support this work?
2. On combating disinformation and hate speech
We note from the Secretary-General’s report (A/80/323) the expansion of the #NoToHate campaign and the Verified for Climate initiative. How does the Department assess their impact in countering hate speech and disinformation, especially in conflict and crisis contexts?
Are there plans to integrate these initiatives into a broader UN system-wide communications strategy on information integrity?
3. On DGC and UN80
In light of the UN80 Initiative, which aims to ensure a United Nations that is more efficient, impactful and accountable, the European Union would welcome further information on the role of the Department of Global Communications in this reform process.
Could you elaborate on the extent of DGC’s involvement in the implementation of the UN80 reform process?
What concrete measures or initiatives is the Department undertaking in order to contribute to the objectives of the Initiative?
Furthermore, the European Union would be interested to hear how the Report of the Committee on Information could be restructured or streamlined to better reflect the guidance and requirements set out in the Secretary-General’s Report on the Mandate Implementation Review of 1 August 2025, and to ensure alignment with the broader reform efforts under the UN80 framework.
4. On multilingualism and digital innovation
The EU strongly values multilingualism as a cornerstone of the UN’s legitimacy and inclusiveness. Given the report’s mention of AI tools being explored to support translation and content generation, how is the Department ensuring that new technologies enhance linguistic diversity?
5. On partnerships and civil society engagement
The EU welcomes the Department’s growing collaboration with academia and civil society, including through the UN Academic Impact initiative. How can partnerships with independent media, fact-checkers and digital platforms be strengthened to support information integrity across regions?
6. On transparency and evaluation
Could the Department share whether there are mechanisms in place to evaluate the impact of its major campaigns — for instance, those on the Sustainable Development Goals or peacekeeping — beyond social media metrics, to ensure that they truly enhance public understanding and trust in the United Nations?
Thank you.
* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.