EU and UNESCO Hold High-Level Side Event on Information Integrity

Key points

• EU Commissioner Šuica delivered opening remarks at the UNESCO-EU high-level side event held during the UN General Assembly in New York, themed on strengthening information integrity and freedom of expression in the Mediterranean.
• She said information integrity and freedom of expression are at the core of a peaceful, stable, and inclusive society, and that sharing a factual basis is crucial for finding common understanding.
• She noted that false narratives can delay solutions to urgent issues such as climate change, can lead people to trust smugglers, fuel radicalisation and violence, and deepen mistrust across communities.
• Under the Pact for the Mediterranean, the EU supports actions on media and information literacy, fact-checking, journalists—especially young journalists—and cross-border cooperation.
• Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi attended as a high-level speaker; Jordan is regarded as a pillar of stability in the region and an important partner for the EU.