Global Digital Compact Survey Examines Impact of Mis/Disinformation on Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations Launches Global Survey to Assess Misinformation’s Impact on Sustainable Development

In a significant move to combat the growing influence of false information on global development efforts, the United Nations has launched a comprehensive online survey to measure how misinformation and disinformation affect progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative follows the landmark Global Digital Compact agreed upon by UN Member States earlier this year, which specifically calls for evaluating false information’s impact on sustainable development under Action 35e. The United Nations Department of Global Communications, serving as the lead coordinating entity for this action, will oversee the data collection effort through December 31, 2025.

“The spread of misinformation poses a serious threat to global development by undermining trust in institutions, distorting public discourse, and complicating policy implementation,” said a UN spokesperson familiar with the initiative. “This survey represents the first systematic attempt to quantify these impacts across different regions and development sectors.”

The survey aims to gather diverse perspectives from UN entities, national governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. Government submissions are expected to come through relevant ministries or designated national authorities, ensuring official positions are accurately represented.

Data collected through the survey will serve multiple purposes. First, it will help create a comprehensive catalog of global efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation in the development space. Additionally, the initiative seeks to highlight successful interventions and identify critical gaps in current approaches. Perhaps most importantly, insights gained will inform future policy guidance designed to protect sustainable development progress from information threats.

The timing of this survey coincides with growing global concern about false information’s societal impact. Recent studies have shown that misinformation can significantly hinder public health initiatives, environmental protection efforts, and economic development programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation directly impacted public health outcomes in many countries, demonstrating the real-world consequences of unchecked false information.

The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity through 2030. The 17 goals cover areas including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. Experts suggest that misinformation threatens progress across multiple goals simultaneously by creating confusion, eroding trust in institutions, and impeding collective action.

Digital rights advocates have welcomed the survey but emphasize the importance of balancing anti-misinformation efforts with free expression protections. “While we absolutely need to address harmful misinformation, any solution must carefully preserve democratic values and human rights,” noted a representative from a leading digital rights organization.

The survey results are expected to inform a comprehensive report to be released in early 2026, which will include concrete recommendations for policymakers, technology platforms, and civil society organizations. These findings may ultimately shape both national policies and international agreements on information integrity in development contexts.

Organizations and governments wishing to participate can access the survey through the UN’s official form at the provided link. The extended response period through December 2025 reflects the UN’s commitment to gathering thorough and diverse inputs from across the global community.

As digital communication continues to evolve rapidly, understanding and addressing misinformation’s impact on sustainable development has become increasingly crucial. This UN-led initiative represents an important step toward evidence-based policies that can protect development progress in an increasingly complex information landscape.