Committee on Information Informal Briefing by USG Melissa Fleming
Statement delivered by Ms. Kaisa Hanna Parel, Third Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN
14 April 2026, New York
Under-Secretary-General Fleming, dear colleagues,
Let me begin by thanking you for the valuable briefing and informal exchange ahead of the committee session. On behalf of Permanent Representative Tammsaar, Chair of the Committee on Information for 2025-2026, we look forward to working closely with Member States and the Secretariat to ensure that the Committee cotninues to provide clear, relevant and forward-looking guidance to the Department of Global Communications. We commend the Department’s wide-ranging work, including its global campaigns, timely and multilingual news and media content, and outreach efforts engaging diverse audiences.
At a time when misinformation, disinformation and hate speech continue to erode trust and fuel instability, the work of the Department is more important than ever. The United Nations must remain a credible and authoritative source of information, grounded in facts, transparency and the principles of the Charter. In this regard, the Global Principles for Information Integrity provide an important framework to guide collective efforts and we appreciate the progress made towards their implementation. Could you please provide more information about the implementation efforts?
At the same time, we take note of the significant financial constraints affecting the Department’s work. In this context, efforts to streamline working methods, prioritise core functions and adapt to new technologies are both necessary and timely, and we support and trust the Department’s ongoing restructuring to enhance efficiency and resilience.
Under-Secretary-General, colleagues,
Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are rapidly reshaping the global information space. Estonia is co-facilitating, together with El Salvador, the first global dialogue on AI governance. In our consultations with Member States and stakeholders, information integrity and risks such as information bias and misuse are often emphasised as pillars that merit urgent attention. How do you see the synergies of your work with the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and how has AI affected DGC’s work more broadly?
Finally, as we look ahead to the Committee’s substantive session, I encourage all delegations to engage constructively and in a spirit of compromise. As Chair, Estonia stands ready to facilitate an inclusive and transparent process, with the aim of achieving an outcome that reflects our shared priorities and supports the continued effectiveness of the Department.
Thank you!