(الجلسة الثالثة، المناقشة العامة، المستأنفة) لجنة الإعلام، الدورة 48 الجمعية العامة Date: 28 April 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/ar/asset/k14/k14npggk8y?lang=en Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Committee on Information · Chair [0:00]: Distinguished delegates, good morning and welcome back. I wish to call to order the third meeting of 48 session of committee on Information. Once again, a gentle reminder to all distinguished delegates to submit electronic versions of their statements in PDF and word formats to statementsn.org as soon as possible and at least two hours in advance of the designated speaking slot. The statements will remain embargoed until delivery, after which they will be available via the UN Journal. I would like also to remind delegates that the list of speakers closed yesterday at 1pm so it is no longer possible to be added to the list. I would like to reiterate time limitations announced yesterday before the start of afternoon session and remind delegations to keep their interventions to five minutes for national delegations and seven minutes for the regional groups to ensure timely conduct. Microphones will be automatically turned off once the allotted time has expired. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in adhering to these guidelines, which are designed to facilitate productive and timely session. Distinguished delegates, we now continue with general debate on the 48th session of the Committee on Information, including the consideration of reports. It is my pleasure to call on the distinguished representative of South Africa to take the floor. South Africa [1:44]: Thank you, Chairperson. I would like to start by appreciating your leadership in guiding the work of the Committee and would like to assure the Bureau of our support and constructive engagement during the session. South Africa also would like to align itself with the statement of the Nine Aligned Movement delivered by Uruguay yesterday. Chairperson, I would also like to extend my dedication's appreciation to the Under Secretary General, Ms. Fleming and her team for the work carried out by the Department of Global Communications, including the innovative ideas implemented to inform, educate and publicize the work of the United nations globally. It is commendable that this work has been done in a constrained financial environment, attesting to the adage that necessity is the mother of invention. It is unfortunate, though, that some of the programs had to be curtailed due to the lack of resources, both human and financial. Despite the challenges, we do note the growth in the use of social media platforms, the reduction of duplication and the enhancement of coherence in the services provided by the Department. Positive changes on which the DGC should continue to build. The Department introduced emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to extend its reach, particularly in the dissemination of information. It would be very valuable to reflect in the coming months on the value addition and impact of these emerging technologies in the implementation of the mandate of the Department in also amplifying its messages, including in strengthening multilingualism. In this regard, we appreciate the deliberate efforts that have been undertaken since the last session of the Committee to enhance multilingualism and encourage the continuation of this positive trajectory. South Africa once again wishes to express express its appreciation to the DGC for its support during the commemoration of the Nelson Mandela International Day in 2025, during which the Nelson Mandela Prize was awarded to Dr. Kennedy Odede and Ms. Brenda Reynolds. The ceremony showcased work done by various recipients across several priority areas including the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples and advocacy for the protection of the environment. South Africa was honored during that period to showcase an exhibition of the Nelson Mandela foundation on the theme Our Shared Humanity. This was held for six weeks at UN Headquarters, highlighting the contribution of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid in dismantling apartheid. Chairperson South Africa appreciates the work carried out in highlighting the plight of the Palestinians during the brutal genocidal conflict in Gaza. Given the disinformation campaign carried out by some to obscure the scale of the atrocities, we encourage the continuation of information campaigns on protracted conflicts, particularly in the African continent. These shine a light on the humanitarian disasters that are unfolding and the grave violations being committed, especially against women and children in conflict areas. We have also noted the work carried out informing on peace and security issues and underscore the importance of continuing to combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns against UN staff, humanitarian workers and peacekeepers. These campaigns underscore the importance of information integrity and the need for proactive measures to be implemented to ensure the dissemination of accurate, reliable, targeted, impartial and timely information to counter such narratives. As I conclude, South Africa underscores its support for the ongoing efforts of the dgc, not only in sharing information with the public about the work of the United nations, but in proactively strengthening and coordinating responses to crises and emerging reputational risks across the UN system. I thank you. Chair. Committee on Information · Chair [6:40]: I think a distinguished representative of South Africa. Next speaker is North Macedonia. North Macedonia [6:49]: Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, we align with the statement delivered earlier by the European Union and in my national capacity, I would like to add the following short remarks. It is a profound honor for my country to address the UN Committee on Information for the first time as a newly admitted member. We are deeply grateful to all Member States for the spirit of cooperation that allowed our admission to be confirmed by consensus. We joined the Committee on Information at a time of unprecedented complexity in the global informational landscape. We fully subscribe to the mission of this body to promote a more just and effective world information order. As we take our place here, we reaffirm our commitment to several key Principles. First, the integrity of information. We recognize the vital role of the Department of Global Communication Communications in providing timely, accurate and impartial information in an era of increasing disinformation. We dedicated to upholding the truth as a global public good. Second, multilingualism as a core value. We believe that UN message is most powerful when it is accessible. We strongly support the promotion of multilingualism to ensure that the work of this organization resonates across the cultures and regions. Third, bridging the digital divide. We are eager to contribute to the Committee's mission of ensuring that technological advancement in communications benefit all nations. Fostering transparency and accountability. We stand ready to work constructively with the Department of Global Communications and our fellow members to amplify the voice of of the United Nations. We believe that through shared information and collective truth, we can build a more informed and resilient international community. I thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [8:51]: I thank distinguished representative of North Macedonia. Congratulations again. And of course we very much appreciate that you've taken this responsibility on your shoulders and really through these principles that you just outlined. Thank you very much for being with us. So, next speaker is Belgium. Belgium [9:11]: Thank you. Chair. Chair, Madam, Under Secretary General, distinguished colleagues. Belgium aligns itself on the statement delivered by the European Union and the Group des Ambassador Francophone and would like to begin by commending the Department of Global Communications and its entire team for the considerable work they have carried out for eight years. The DGC plays a vital role in telling the story of the United Nations. Our United nations. The story of 193 member states that every day are charged with the work of making the world a fairer, safer and more sustainable place. At a time when multilateralism is increasingly under pressure and when the work of the United nations itself is being questioned, the responsibility of the DGC is significant, including in advancing the UN Global principles for information integrity. Beyond providing accurate and timely information, the Department also has the power to highlight the positive impact of the United nations in these critical times. It is essential to remind ourselves of what we have and what we continue to achieve together. But nowadays, communication goes far beyond storytelling. Because information integrity is placed at the center of its work. The DGC is on the front line in addressing information manipulation, myth and disinformation, hybrid threats and the fast evolution of technology and artificial intelligence. Disinformation affects all areas at an alarming speed and without boundaries, undermining humanitarian action, peacekeeping and sustainable development while eroding trust. Addressing this challenge requires a firm and collective response. The fight against disafformation, including Its detection and prevention is a key priority for Belgium. In the context of unity, the role of technology and innovation will continue to grow while requiring careful consideration to ensure that technological tools are applied with a measured and balanced approach. Multilingualism is also a pillar of United nations action and an essential vector of inclusivity. Guaranteeing access to reliable information in all the official languages is essential to reach all audiences and ensure genuine ownership of UN messages in a fragmented information environment that is marked by disinformation. Multilingualism is not just a principle. It's a strategic tool for strengthening mutual understanding, combating false narratives and ensuring that no one is left behind. Context the work of the DGC is more important than ever and you can count on Belgium's support. We maintain close cooperation with the United Nations Information center, which plays a frontline role in Brussels. Finally, let us not forget that communication and action go hand in hand. Communication enables action to exist and matter, while action gives communication its credibility. One cannot meaningfully exist without the other, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure both. I thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [12:40]: I thank the distinguished representative of Belgium. Next speaker on my list is China. Chair. China [12:50]: China congratulates you on your re election as Chair of the Committee on Information. We are confident that the session will achieve a positive outcome. China thanks Secretary General Guterres for submitting the report on global Communications to the Committee and commands the work carried out by USG Fleming and the Department of Global Communications over the past year. China aligns itself with the statement by the representative Uruguay on behalf of the Group 77 and China and welcome North Macedonia to this Committee. As global challenges keep emerging and geopolitical conflicts and instability intensify, The UN and multilateralism are facing daunting challenges. Amid the liquidity crisis, the DGC has kept haste with the times, undertaking reform and self renewal. Utilized modern communications tools to focus on priority issues including peace, security, SDGs and fighting, disinformation and accompanying climate change and presented through multilingual and multimedia channels. UN's work to global audience with positive results achieved regarding DGC's future work, China wishes to suggest the following. First, enhance the mandate delivery capacity via reforms. The UN80 initiative is making steady headway. China welcomes the DGC's efforts to restructure itself and innovate its means of communications in an effort to improve efficiency and operational capacity. It is imperative to step up communication and coordination with Member States and ensure that the reform is transparent, inclusive and constructive, thereby building the broad possible consensus among Member states. It is essential to stay focused on three plus the UN's operations and concentrate resources on better communicating UN's core agenda. Second, safeguard the authority of UN news. The DGC has the responsibility and obligation to uphold journalistic professionalism, objectivity and neutrality by disseminating impartial and accurate news and information in a timely and intricate manner, thereby raising global awareness of UN's role. There's a need to make proper use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, combat and resist dis and misinformation in all its forms, and take the lead in fostering a healthy, upright and constructive environment for public discourse. Third, put multilingualism into action this year it marks the 80th anniversary of China's being designated as an official language of the United Nations. Not long ago we history an event entitled Chinese Language Shining Civilizations in celebration of the United Nations Chinese Language Day articulating a beautiful vision of using language as a medium to jointly build community with shared future as a core Yuan value, multilingualism embodies the diversity and equality of human civilizations. We hope the DGC will continue to improve Chinese language resources and staffing and address the inequality and a balance in the use of six official languages. Chair this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat for People's Republic China in the un. As a founding member of the UN and permanent member of the Security Council, China has been a staunch supporter of the United nations cause. China stands ready to work with all countries to revitalize the authority of the un, promote the spirit of multilateralism and advance the building of community with a shared future for humanity. We are confident and hopeful that under your leadership and through the concerted FS4, this section of Committee will be vital role in reviewing the UN global communications policies and activities. Committee on Information · Chair [16:21]: Thank you, thank you, distinguished Representative of China. Next speaker is Chris Greece [16:30]: Mr. Chair and I join welcoming North Macedonia to the Committee. Aligning to the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its member States, allow me to further express our support for the ongoing modernization and reform efforts within the Department of Global Communications as outlined yesterday by Under Secretary General Melissa Fleming. This is particularly relevant as we mark the 80th anniversary of the Department's establishment. At a time when we are navigating an increasingly complex global communications landscape. We also wish to emphasize the continued importance of the safety of journalists. In an era marked by increased conflict, misinformation and shrinking civic space, the protection of journalists and media workers remains essential to ensuring access to reliable information and upholding freedom of expression. Greece in its capacity as A Co Chair of the Group of Friends on the Protection of Journalists is committed to encouraging sustained UN engagement and visibility on this issue, including through the organization's communications platforms. Additionally, we would like to highlight the importance of strengthening the protection of children and youth in the digital environment. The rapid expansion of digital platforms presents significant opportunities, but also growing risks, including exposure to harmful contact privacy challenges and the increasing potential for digital dependency and addiction at an early age. The UN Global Principles for Information Integrity provide an important framework for addressing these challenges. Strengthening information integrity means not only protecting children and youth from online threats, but also equipping them with access to reliable information sources, digital literacy skills and meaningful control over their online experience, enabling them to navigate the digital ecosystem safely, critically and confidently. Greece supports enhanced international cooperation to ensure a safe, responsible and age appropriate digital space for young users, including through robust and privacy preserving age assurance mechanisms, as well as shared responsibility among states, platforms and users. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, we reaffirm our commitment to a UN communication system that is increasingly accessible and relatable to a global audience through the constructive cooperation of this committee. I thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [18:57]: I thank our distinguished representative of Greece. Next speaker is Chile. Chile [19:08]: Thank you very much, Chair. Please allow me to congratulate you upon your election and offer Chile support to your work. Furthermore, we wish every success to the members of the leadership team. Chile endorses the statements made by Spain on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Spanish Language and by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 in China. We are grateful for the three reports presented by the Secretariat on the activities of the Department of Global Communications as well as for the statement by the Under Secretary General for global communications, Ms. Melissa Fleming, and to her team for the productive exchange on the activities over the last year. We think it's essential to continue to strengthen alliances between the Department and Member States to disseminate the work of the United Nations. Chair the multilateral system faces complex challenges in terms of communications and that's why it's essential to have strategies focused on strengthening the institutional communication capacities in a transparent, timely and accessible manner. What's more, we believe it's necessary to increase efforts to ensure a better balance in the use of the official UN languages and their use in decisions, documents and or reports. Linguistic diversity does not only reflect the plurality of states, but also constitutes an important instrument ensuring that the messages of this organization really do reach citizens across all the regions of the world, including in Spanish speaking countries. Truly inclusive communication requires citizens being able to access information in their mother tongue, in particular in context of crisis where institutional trust is undermined by false information and often without adequate scientific backing. Chile reiterates our appreciation of efforts made by the Department of Global Communications in this regard and insists on the need to continue to expand the production of multilingual content. Furthermore, we believe that it's necessary to continue to invest in institutional capacities to counter narratives of disinformation that distort the perception of the work of multilateralism. Chile reiterates its commitment to a more transparent multilateral system that's closer to people and diverse, that's able to truly inform people and to reach all people without distinction. Thank you very much. Committee on Information · Chair [21:40]: I thank you. Distinguished Representative of Chile. Next speaker on my list is Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic [21:56]: Senior President. Chairman. Distinguished Delegates. I'd like to begin by extending my congratulations to you, Sir Chair of this Committee, to Ambassador Ryan Tamsar, to Estonia and to all of the other members of the Bureau for their leadership in the work of this committee. We also wish to recognise the work of Ms. Melissa Fleming, under Secretary General for Global Communications and her team. And we also appreciate the presentation of the three Secretary General's reports on the activities of the Department of Global Communications. These provided us valuable insight into the functions and the importance of this entity. Chair The Dominican Republic aligns itself with the statements made by the delegation of Uruguay on behalf of the G77, by Armenia on behalf of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors and by Spain on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Spanish Language. In addition, we will be making the following statement in our national capacity. Our country underscores the great efforts made by the Department of Global Communications and fostering the integrity of information as a cornerstone of multilateralism, climate action and sustainable development. Bolstering trust and the integrity of information is a fundamental requirement for more fluid international cooperation and for establishing synergies in multilateral spaces. Furthermore, we appreciate the role of the Department in guaranteeing information integrity in contexts of conflict and humanitarian crises. We underscore the setting up of the Crisis Unit on the situation in Haiti, focused on addressing the humanitarian needs caused by the escalation of violence from criminal gangs, as well as support for communication efforts on the transition from a multinational security support mission to a gang suppression force. We also appreciate the use of artificial intelligence with human supervision in order to carry out various tasks like the translation of documents and statements broadcast through the UNTV page, summarising content research and following up with media and analyzing data. This is a good example of the ethical use of artificial intelligence for it to be a tool to safeguard trust and integrity of information. Furthermore, we focus on the need to strengthen the protection of civilians, including journalists and media workers who face growing risks in conflict zones. The protection of journalists is a legal obligation and we're grateful for Reporters Without Borders. Our delegation emphasizes the importance of strengthening the protection of civilians, media workers in general. They face growing risks in conflict zones. The protection of journalists in contexts of violence and crises is not only a legal obligation, but also a key element of preserving transparency, accountability and access to verified information. Our country appreciates the work carried out by the UN Information center for Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic in disseminating content and relevant documentation on the UN system in these three countries. Another aspect that is of the utmost importance for us is the promotion of multilingualism as the face of the linguistic diversity that characterizes the United Nations. The work of the Department in the production and dissemination of content in many different languages, including the six official languages of the United nations, is fundamental in order to connect us with audiences in different contexts and provide them reliable information on the values and purposes, but above all, the importance of the United nations in the world today. By way of conclusion, the Dominican Republic is a promoter of multilingualingualism within the United nations, supports a vision of the Department for Global Communication and its intention to promote the integrity of information offered in different languages from reliable sources based on evidence and verifiable data. Thank you very much, Chairman. Committee on Information · Chair [26:43]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Dominican Republic. Next speaker on my list is Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Democratic People's Republic of Korea [26:54]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chairman, the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea expresses a hope that under able leadership, the current session will make a successful outcome. My delegation aligns itself with a statement made by the representative of Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 and China. We express our thanks to the Under Secretary General for Global Communications for the comprehensive and informative briefing of the strategies and activities of the dgc. Taking note of the reports of the Secretary General, my delegation makes the following observations in its national capacity. Mr. Chairman, at the present, geopolitical tensions are rising and multilateral system is facing serious challenges due to high handedness and arbitrary practice by some specific force. In this context, the dissemination of the accurate, impartial and factual information is becoming more critical in terms of maintaining international peace and security, achieving sustainable development goals and actively addressing major global challenges. In this regard, it is urgent to establish a new and just international information order without any further delay so that impartiality and objectivity can be strictly observed in the information sector and the information activities can substantially contribute to promoting international cooperation and solidarity and the principles of mutual respect and equality. In terms of establishing a just international information order, it is primarily important to fully observe the principle of respect for sovereignty and non interference in internal fields in the information activities. As of now, the United States and the west are misusing advanced information and communications technology to viciously perpetrate different sorts of black propaganda, defamation and ideological and cultural poisonings against sovereign nations under the guise of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Due to such unilateral and coercive practices in pursuance of hegemony, a vicious cycle of escalatory tensions remain unabated in different parts of the world and the risks of antagonism and conflicts are more growing. All Member States should sharpen further vigilance to and oppose and reject politically motivated dissemination of misinformation and disinformation in flagrant violation of the cardinal principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. At the same time, it is imperative to carry out international information activities with a genuine political will to contribute to achieving international justice and equality and promoting cooperation and solidarity among countries. Meanwhile, in terms of bridging the information and communications technology divide among the countries, persistent attention should be paid to increasing access to information and communications technology and capacity building of countries, in particular developing countries. To this end, effective action oriented measures should be proactively taken to further enhance international cooperation in the information sector regarding transfer of advanced information and communications technology, personal trainings, improvement of information infrastructure and others towards developing countries. Last, but not the least, the UN must serve as a trusted source of accurate and impartial information in strict adherence to the principle of information integrity. In this connection, my delegation draws attention to and expresses deep concern over the fact that some UN bodies like the Human Rights Council are formulating and releasing selective and discriminatory reports containing unsubstantiated and fabricated narratives. Such abnormal practice targeting some Member states will have harmful consequences of eroding trust of Member States in the UN and triggering tensions and confrontation among the Member States. In closing, my delegation reiterates its firm commitment to making an active contribution to the efforts at establishing a new and just international information order through enhanced exchanges and cooperation with all UN Member States, the UN Secretary, UN and other international organizations in the future too, as it did in the past. I thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [31:25]: I thank a distinguished representative of Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Next speaker on my list is Russian Federation. Russian Federation [31:39]: Mr. Chairman, we are compelled once again to draw attention to the fact that The American side continues to abuse its position as the host country of the United Nations Headquarters. This year, once again, an entry visa to Participate in the 48th session of the UN General Assembly Committee on Information was not issued to a representative of the Russian delegation, despite documents having been submitted in a timely manner. We qualify this action, or rather inaction by the American side, as a gross and systematic violation of its obligations under the Headquarters Agreement. We expect the UN Secretariat to take comprehensive measures to put an end to this vicious politicized practice, including, if necessary, the initiation of arbitration proceedings. Mr. Chairman, over the past year, the situation with freedom of access to information and media pluralism has not only failed to improve, it has continued to deteriorate. This is largely the result of the course pursued by the countries of the so called Collective west towards establishing control over the global information space, suppressing dissent and manipulating international public opinion. To this end, the entire arsenal of political censorship is being employed, from so called sanctions against media outlets and journalists to repressive measures targeting their families. It is deeply regrettable that 80 years after the adoption of the General Assembly Resolution 59I, which proclaimed freedom of information as a fundamental human rights, Western countries, particularly the members of the eu, are instead inventing pretexts for ever new restrictions and bans. Against this backdrop, the Kyiv regime is also demonstrating extreme forms of intolerance. Opposition media have been banned, thousands of online resources have been blocked and dissenters are being persecuted. Hatred towards everything Russian is being openly promoted and encouraged through the media at all levels. The clique in Kyiv persists in its terrorist practice of attacks against the civilian population, including journalists and war correspondents, and openly boasts about this fact. As a result of attacks by the armed forces of Ukraine, six members of the Russian press were killed in 2025, and in 2026, one correspondent narrowly survived a UAV strike. The extremist Internet platform Mira Tvorets, launched back in 2014, continues to operate, publishing the personal data of undesirable individuals, including journalists and even children. It has been established that the website of this despicable resource is registered and hosted in one of the countries of the Collective West. Yet this does not appear to trouble its authorities. Mr. Chairman, against the backdrop of ongoing crimes and terrorist acts against Russian journalists and persecution of media outlets, relevant international bodies either remain silent or respond selectively and on paper only. In doing so, they effectively encourage further atrocities and discredit the international system for the protection of journalists and freedom of access to information. Similar selectivity has also become the norm for a number of human rights NGOs. The report of the Russian Union of Journalists that we circulated among Committee members confirms this with specific examples. It is regrettable that UN system entities also often rely precisely on such biased sources. Mr. Chairman. We note the significant volume of work carried out by the Department of Global Communications. At the same time, we are compelled to draw attention to the staffing changes within the DGC carried out under the pretext of optimizing the Department's work as part of the UN 80 initiative. Such reshuffles about which member states are often informed when they are already almost a fait accompli, raise concerns regarding the transparency and balanced nature of human resources policies, including compliance with the principle of equitable geographical representation. We call on the Department's leadership to ensure a more transparent and fair approach to modernizing its structures. With due regard for the principle of geographical diversity. It is equally important that the GGC consistently guarantee the equal and full use of all official languages of the United Nations. We would like to particularly underscore that the effectiveness of the UN's information activities also directly depends on preserving and strengthening the system of regional information centers. These centers ensure objective and timely information and enhance the organization's reputation on the ground. Their capacity must not only be preserved, it must steadily be strengthened in terms of both staffing and resources. Information activities are one of the United nations core mandates and cannot be outsourced. We will closely monitor this aspect of its work. Thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [36:25]: I think a distinguished representative of the Russian Federation next speaker on my list is United States of America. United States of America [36:38]: The world can come together to talk, and what most of us do all day is indeed communicate. So you'd imagine that our premier resolution on communications and the founding charter of the Department of Global Communications would be one of our best. You'd imagine that it plainly lays out how we convey the UN mission to our capitals and to the world. It does not. Worse, it's 30 pages of resolution soup that most people out in the real world would have trouble finishing or even understanding. Our team ran an analysis on the resolution and found that it is at least 30% redundant. Meaning it just repeats the same tortured prose that it did on page two. And again on page 29. Sentences that obscure rather than inform that make it less clear what the UN's mission is and how we should convey it are not better just because we repeat them or cite enough quote recollections of prior resolutions. I think the problem here is deeper and also fully fixable. The UN has grown comfortable talking to itself, but really doesn't know how to talk about itself. Colleagues, we all of us have a great story to tell about our work here. Sharing the UN's mission with the world should be like selling water in a drought. Who doesn't want what the UN aspires to do best? Peace, security and life saving humanitarian aid. It's when we start to drift, when the UN takes on a cornucopia of issues that it doesn't need to worry about, that we poison the good fruits of our labor. This resolution is perhaps the perfect example of this mission creep. Its language is layered in to divide rather than unite, to make subtle ideological pronouncements from the UN that are solely member states prerogatives. The United States will always defend freedom of expression at home and abroad. We will not accept efforts like those in this resolution to restrict that freedom under the banner of disinformation or misinformation. The public must be informed to the teeth, but never controlled. The continued irony of this resolution is that it talks a big game about misinformation and disinformation, but then includes references that do little more than shield certain governments from scrutiny over their own governance and human rights records. And then there is the familiar list Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, gender, inserted here not because they clarify the mandates of the Department of Global Communications, but because they have become this building's default talking points. When everything is a priority, nothing is. And we are poor communicators because of it. You wonder why everyday people around the world are confused about what we do here or even hate our work. It's because of this we can do better. Indeed, we must do better. The UN has a sterling message to share with the world. Right now, its best communicators are hamstrung because they've got this darn resolution to read and no one knows what it actually means for them. If we're serious about reform, and the American people and our friends here at the UN are absolutely serious about reform, then let's start with this resolution. The United nations should communicate on what is actually in this mandate clearly, directly and with purpose. We'll get there if we start from scratch. 30 pages of gobbledygook are not helpful for anyone. We welcome the biennialization of this process, but we also believe that this committee should get back to basics. Now, over the next two years, we will build a concise, disciplined resolution from scratch, from a blank page, and fill it with our best ideas at the next session. The United States looks forward to working with partners who are ready to produce a focused, disciplined and Apolitical resolution. One that gets the UN back to basics. We really can communicate clearly, operate effectively and deliver results. The people that we are here to serve demand it and need it. And our people and this institution's potential deserve it. Thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [40:51]: I thank you, distinguished representative of the United States. Next speaker on my list is Morocco. Morocco [41:00]: Thank you. Mr. Chair, allow me at the outset to congratulate you on all the members of your Bureau for their tireless commitment to the proceedings of this Committee. I also wish to express my delegation's appreciation to all the members of the Committee for their sustained engagement as we navigate a global landscape marked by accelerating technological change, deepening geopolitical tensions and an information environment of unprecedented complexity. Our thanks equally go to Ms. Melissa Fleming, under Secretary General for Global Communications, and to her entire team. We commend their tireless dedication and adaptability they continue to demonstrate, both at headquarters and in the field in fulfilling the Department's mandate in this demanding environment. Mr. Chairman, the dissemination and mediation of United nations activities have always been of paramount importance. Today, this task has taken on a new urgency. We are witnessing an unprecedented proliferation of disinformation. In this context, the United nations voice as a credible, neutral and authoritative source of information is more vital than ever. The Department of Global Communications has continued to lead the organization's communications effort, coordinating across the Secretariat, funds, agencies and UN Information Centers to ensure coherent and effective message. We commend their ongoing efforts in this regard. Mr. Chair, the promotion of universal values has been addressed with professionalism and consistency by the Department. We particularly welcome the increased attention given to the nexus between information and security, including Department's engagement in raising awareness around cybersecurity threats. We wish to reiterate our strong appreciation for the Department's sustained commitment to promoting United nations peacekeeping, one of the organization's most visible and impactful activities. Morocco. As one of the leading troop contributing countries to the UN KEEF's peacekeeping operations for over six decades attaches particular importance to the visibility and communication surrounding these missions. We encourage the Department and the thematic priorities that have long guided this Committee's work remain fully relevant. Multilingualism, sustainable development, climate action, high level event coverage and the communication of the three pillars of the United Nations. We reiterate our strong commitment to multilingualism as source of identity, balance and mutual understanding among nations. Mr. Chair, at a time when the international community looks to this organization to guide, coordinate and lead on the most pressing challenges of our time, from climate change and conflict to digital disruption and inequality, it is essential that the Department of Global Communications be equipped with the resources it needs to fulfill its mandate effectively. It is our collective responsibility as Member States to ensure that these resources are provided. We look forward to constructive deliberation during this session and remain committed to working together in a spirit of solidarity and shared purpose. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee on Information · Chair [44:16]: I thank distinguished representative of Morocco. Last but not least, and my least, is International Organization of La Francophonie. OIF [44:33]: The International Organization of La Francophonie would like to extend its warmest congratulations to you on leading the work of this committee. We also thank Ms. Melissa Fleming for your commitment and for the adaptability demonstrated by her department. In a rapidly evolving information environment at a time of contemporary upheaval, preserving strong links between the UN and citizens is a strategic imperative. In this context, Lefrankophoni wishes to recall that multilingualism is an essential condition for the effectiveness of the United nations information and communication activities. It ensures accessibility of messages. It strengthens public ownership of these methods and thus contributes to the legitimacy of the un. La Francophonie welcomes the close cooperation established with the DGC in this regard and would like to thank UN News for its decisive contribution to the promotion of the United nations official languages, notably through dedicated celebrations, including that of the French language. These initiatives play a full role in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity which lies at the heart of multilateralism. Mr. Chairman, faced with an intensification of information distortion which is amplified by geopolitical crises and the rise of artificial intelligence, La Francophonie has committed itself resolutely to promoting information integrity because the dissemination of misleading contact, hate speech and manipulative narrative undermines trust. Trust exacerbates polarization and could jeopardize democratic processes as well as peace efforts. In this context, fact checking emerges as an essential but insufficient lever. The response must be comprehensive, mobilizing prevention, education, regulation and international cooperation alike. It is in the spirit that in October 2025 in Paris, the OIF organized a cross cutting reflection among its institutional network devoted to information integrity and democratic processes in the digital age and in the era of AI. This meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders to share experience and expertise, particularly with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, the integrity of electoral processes and the fight against information manipulation operations and foreign interference. Likewise, the OIF has continued its field based actions by supporting concrete initiatives in Jamena. In November 2025, it contributed to the finalization of a national strategy to combat hate speech and to the integration of media and information literacy into education systems in partnership with UNESCO and national authorities in Dakar, Senegal in December 2025, the OIF supported the organization of an unprecedented dialogue forum between regulators and digital platforms, enabling an assessment of the commitments made by these platforms and the definition of shared courses of action to strengthen transparency and accountability in the digital space. In line with the principles of the VIE COTRAY call for an integrated and trustworthy digital space adopted by heads of state and government of the OIF at the 19th summit of La Francophonie. Furthermore, since 2021, the OIF has supported numerous fact checking initiatives across the francophone world, notably through the ODEAL platform and its Francophone twinning programs. These mechanisms have made it possible to support innovative projects such as AI based verification tools, journalist networks and media literacy programs, thus directly contributing to the informational and democratic resilience of many member states and governments. Chair, I would like to conclude by reaffirming the OIF's readiness to continue and to deepen its cooperation with the DGC in order to promote a resilient, multilingual, reliable and inclusive information space. Thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [48:54]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie Distinguished delegates. We have with this exhausted the list of speakers and therefore concluding the general debate and the consideration of reports. Thank you very much for all your collaboration and cooperation. The session of a Committee on Information will continue in with with the open ended Working group that will be in charge of discussing and reviewing the draft resolutions. I sincerely thank the distinguished and able representative of Thailand to take on the role of a facilitator on behalf of a group of G77 and China. I wish you success in the negotiations and please count on my support as a Chair and the support of of my delegation as well. Before we conclude, I would like to give a floor to Secretary. I believe you have some announcements to make. Rob, the floor is yours. UN Secretariat · Secretary · Rob [49:57]: Yes, thank you, Chair. And just very briefly from the Secretariat and I'd also like to thank the distinguished representative of Thailand for taking on the role of facilitator. And I understand from the facilitator that the discussions in the open ended Working group will begin at 10am tomorrow and I would just like to remind all delegations that that will take place in Conference Room 6 and not in this room, but in Conference Room 6. So the deliberations of the open ED working group tomorrow 10:00am Conference Room 6. Thank you. Committee on Information · Chair [50:32]: All right, Many thanks. This meeting is adjourned. It.