On 7 April 2026, UNU-CPR convened Member States, international organizations and civil society representatives for a session of its Global Governance Policy Dialogue Series under the Global Governance Innovation Platform. The event featured Professor Simon Chesterman (National University of Singapore) in conversation with UNU-CPR Director Dr. David Passarelli, examining the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation for global governance.
Drawing on research undertaken for the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Misinformation and Disinformation, Professor Chesterman explored how digital infrastructures that expand access to information can also undermine the shared factual foundations necessary for collective action. He emphasized that the risks posed by misinformation extend beyond national contexts, affecting the ability of the international community to respond to conflict, uphold human rights and mobilize cooperation towards shared global goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals.
The discussion highlighted how advances in generative AI are accelerating these dynamics by increasing the scale, speed and persuasiveness of misleading content. It also examined the structural role of private-sector platforms, whose incentives often prioritize engagement over information integrity, as well as the limitations of state-led regulatory responses, particularly the need to balance intervention with the protection of freedom of expression and a human rights-based approach.
Placing these challenges in a United Nations policy context, the dialogue explored what a more effective multilevel response might entail. Participants considered the need for stronger international coordination and the importance of linking efforts to broader agendas on AI governance, data governance and digital resilience.
