UNGA80 Fourth Committee General debate on “Questions relating to information”
Statement delivered by Ms. Signe-Znotiņa-Znota, Spokesperson at the Permanent Mission of Latvia on behalf of the Baltic States
3 November 2026, New York
Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union.
I thank the Department of Global Communications and the Secretary-General for their continued efforts to provide accurate, fact-based and accessible information about the work of the United Nations, promote understanding of multilateralism and communicate objectives of the UN reform, including the UN80 Initiative.
The global information environment is undergoing a profound transformation. Information has become a strategic asset. Its deliberate manipulation is increasingly used to exert influence, undermine public trust and interfere in democratic processes.
Information integrity is essential to democratic resilience, human rights, international peace and security, as well as our preparedness and capacity to respond to information manipulation.
We would like to highlight three priorities.
Mr. Chair,
First, the Baltic States remain particularly concerned about foreign information manipulation and interference. Such activities include campaigns aimed at distorting public opinion, interfering in democratic processes and undermining trust in democratic institutions and weakening support for international cooperation.
Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine demonstrates how information manipulation is used alongside conventional military operations. The Kremlin systematically spreads disinformation and distorted historical narratives to justify its illegal war against Ukraine, equate the aggressor with the victim, deny documented atrocities and shift responsibility for the conflict.
Since spring, Russia has escalated a malicious and dangerous disinformation campaign targeting the Baltic States. Russia falsely claimed that our countries had allowed their airspace to be used for drone attacks against targets in Russia. Russia used these lies to issue direct threats against Latvia. This is a prime example of escalation in information space.
Russia is also trying to erase facts and rewrite history, even destroy cultural heritage – including monuments, books, churches and libraries – to undermine collective memory and attack identity. Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, UNESCO has verified damage to 567 cultural sites, including 165 religious sites, 43 museums and 24 libraries – in Ukraine.
Accurate, timely and fact-based communication, especially in conflict contexts, is therefore essential. We must call violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, what they are and counter attempts to distort responsibility for acts of aggression. It is vital, that the UN system and international monitors mandated with fact finding and verification have the full support of international community.
Mr. Chair,
The Baltic States welcome the continued implementation of the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity and recognize the importance of international cooperation under the Global Digital Compact and through other relevant multilateral initiatives.
In 2021, Latvia was among the co-initiators of the General Assembly resolution establishing Global Media and Information Literacy Week. We continue to regard media and information literacy as a vital long-term investment, particularly for children and young people.
We support the Department of Global Communications in its continued work with Member States, independent media, civil society, academia and technology companies to improve understanding of information manipulation and strengthen societal resilience.
The Secretary-General’s report highlights the value of capacity-building, including training for UN personnel and journalism students. Resilience requires a whole-of-society approach. It must be built before a crisis, not merely in response to one.
Mr. Chair,
Second, information integrity cannot be sustained without free, independent and pluralistic media.
On the World Press Freedom Day earlier this year, the UN Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists, which Lithuania has proudly co-chaired for a decade, reaffirmed that free, independent and pluralistic media are essential for democracy, peace and sustainable development, and called for stronger protection of journalists worldwide, including in conflict situations. The Baltic States have provided refuge to many journalists fleeing repression, enabling them to continue their work in safety.
Independent journalism also faces growing economic and technological pressures. The Secretary-General’s report rightly draws attention to the relationship between advertising, AI and the global information crisis. We welcome the Department’s engagement with the advertising sector to promote greater transparency and accountability across the information ecosystem. Technology companies, advertisers and other relevant actors should take greater responsibility for the impact of their services and business practices on the information environment.
At the same time, efforts to combat disinformation must never become a pretext for censorship or restrictions on legitimate expression. All measures to strengthen information integrity must comply with international human rights law, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to seek, receive and impart information.
Mr. Chair,
Third, AI and other emerging technologies are transforming how information is produced and disseminated. These developments require look beyond the impact on communications. They are also changing the nature of conflicts and have implications for international peace and security. We must also consider their implications for conflict prevention, the protection of civilians and the safety of UN personnel.
We hope that the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, co-facilitated by Estonia and El Salvador, and subsequent discussions will contribute to a shared understanding of responsible AI governance and strengthen international cooperation.
In this context, I would also like to highlight that, on 23 October, Latvia and Greece jointly announced the launch of the Security Council Informal Expert Group on Technology and Peace and Security, established by ten members of the Security Council. The Group will provide a forum for structured and timely discussions on emerging technologies and their implications for international peace and security, including the safety of UN personnel. The first meeting will take place this month, during Latvia’s presidency of the UNSC. This initiative is a concrete step towards strengthening the Council’s capacity to address the implications of emerging technologies for international peace and security.
Mr. Chair,
To conclude: No single government, institution or technology company can address these challenges alone. A whole-of-society approach and sustained multilateral engagement are essential to safeguarding an open, trustworthy and inclusive information environment.
I thank you.