Global Survey Examines Digital Misinformation’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

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

The United Nations Department of Global Communications has initiated a worldwide online survey aimed at evaluating how misinformation and disinformation are affecting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative directly responds to Action 35(e) of the Global Digital Compact, which was formally agreed upon by UN Member States earlier this year.

The survey, which will remain open until December 31, 2025, seeks input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders including UN agencies, national governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and other relevant parties. Governments can participate through their relevant ministries or designated national authorities.

“The proliferation of false information poses a significant challenge to sustainable development efforts worldwide,” explained a UN spokesperson familiar with the initiative. “By gathering comprehensive data, we aim to better understand the scope and impact of this problem across different regions and sectors.”

The Global Digital Compact represents a landmark agreement on digital cooperation, addressing numerous challenges in the increasingly digitalized world. Action 35(e) specifically focuses on understanding how the spread of misleading or false information hampers progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which range from poverty eradication and climate action to gender equality and clean energy.

Data collected through this survey will serve multiple purposes, according to the Department of Global Communications. First, it will help create a catalog of existing efforts to combat misinformation globally, highlighting successful strategies and approaches. Second, it will identify gaps in current responses, particularly in vulnerable regions or around specific SDGs that may be disproportionately affected by misinformation campaigns.

Perhaps most importantly, the survey results will inform future policy guidance for governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders working toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Misinformation and disinformation have become increasingly problematic in recent years, with the rapid expansion of social media platforms and digital communication channels. These phenomena have disrupted public health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, complicated climate action through the spread of environmental falsehoods, and undermined democratic processes worldwide.

“The relationship between misinformation and sustainable development hasn’t received sufficient attention,” noted a development expert who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the initiative. “This survey represents an important step toward understanding that relationship and developing more effective responses.”

The timing of this initiative is particularly significant, as the world approaches the midpoint of the SDG implementation period. With the 2030 deadline for achieving the goals drawing closer, there is growing concern that progress has been insufficient across multiple fronts. The COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, and economic instability have already created substantial obstacles to meeting the SDGs, and misinformation may be further complicating these challenges.

The survey is accessible through an online form and is designed to be comprehensive yet user-friendly. Participants are expected to provide information about the specific impacts of misinformation they have observed, successful countermeasures they have implemented, and recommendations for future actions.

UN officials emphasize that broad participation is crucial to the success of this initiative. They are encouraging responses from both regions where digital infrastructure is highly developed and areas where digital penetration remains limited, as the nature and impact of misinformation can vary significantly across these contexts.

Organizations and governments interested in participating in the survey can access it through the link provided by the UN Department of Global Communications. The extended timeline—running through December 2025—is intended to allow for thorough data collection and analysis before recommendations are formulated.