Paris: At the 220th session of the UNESCO Executive Board, a pivotal resolution led by Pakistan and co-sponsored by over 50 member states, titled “Countering Disinformation for the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information,” was unanimously adopted. This move underscores a global commitment to combating the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech, which are increasingly prevalent due to the rapid advancement of digital technologies.
According to Press Information Department, this resolution, a first of its kind at UNESCO, builds on the organization’s previous activities and decisions from both the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, expressed gratitude towards the Member States for their consensus and support. The resolution aims to position UNESCO at the forefront of a multi-stakeholder effort to enhance the reliability of information on digital platforms. It also mandates the UNESCO Director-General to update on actions taken to counter disinformation and to strategize further on enhancing UNESCO’s role in safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information.