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United Nations Launches Global Survey to Combat Misinformation’s Impact on Sustainable Development
The United Nations Department of Global Communications has initiated a global online survey to assess how misinformation and disinformation affect progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The survey, which will remain open until December 31, 2025, represents a key implementation step of the recently adopted Global Digital Compact.
The survey comes as part of Action 35(e) of the Compact, which was formally agreed upon by UN Member States earlier this year. This specific action calls for comprehensive evaluation of how false and misleading information hinders global sustainable development efforts.
“Understanding the relationship between misinformation and our ability to achieve the SDGs is crucial for evidence-based policymaking,” said a spokesperson for the UN Department of Global Communications, which is serving as the lead coordinating entity for this initiative. “This survey will help us map the landscape of challenges and identify successful interventions.”
The UN is casting a wide net for responses, seeking input from various UN entities, all 193 Member States, and relevant stakeholders from civil society, academia, and the private sector. Government submissions are expected to come through relevant ministries or designated national authorities.
The timing of this initiative is significant, as misinformation and disinformation have become increasingly recognized as cross-cutting threats to development goals. From public health campaigns to climate action, false information can undermine trust in institutions, derail collective action, and exacerbate inequalities—all of which directly impact progress on the SDGs.
Data collected through the survey will serve multiple purposes. First, it will help catalog global efforts already underway to combat misinformation in the context of sustainable development. Second, it aims to identify best practices and notable achievements that could be scaled or adapted for different contexts. Third, the findings will highlight critical gaps that require targeted interventions.
Ultimately, the UN plans to use these insights to develop more effective policy guidance for Member States struggling with the impacts of misinformation on their development agendas. This reflects a growing recognition that information integrity is not merely a political or social issue, but fundamentally a development challenge.
The survey comes at a time when digital platforms continue to evolve rapidly, presenting both opportunities and challenges for information ecosystems worldwide. Many countries have already implemented various approaches to addressing misinformation—ranging from media literacy programs to regulatory frameworks—but comprehensive data on their effectiveness remains limited, particularly regarding impacts on development outcomes.
For developing nations especially, the survey represents an opportunity to highlight unique challenges they face, including limited resources for fact-checking infrastructure, digital literacy gaps, and connectivity issues that can exacerbate information divides.
Civil society organizations working on development issues have welcomed the initiative, with many emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder approaches that respect freedom of expression while addressing harmful misinformation.
“The relationship between misinformation and sustainable development is complex and bidirectional,” noted one development expert familiar with the initiative. “Misinformation can hinder progress on the SDGs, but advancing the SDGs—particularly those related to education and institutional capacity—can also help build societal resilience against misinformation.”
The two-year survey period will allow for comprehensive data collection across different regions, sectors, and development contexts. The UN has emphasized that participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged to ensure representative global insights.
Organizations and government entities interested in participating can access the survey through the official UN portal. The extended deadline of December 31, 2025, reflects the UN’s recognition that thorough assessment and thoughtful responses require adequate time, particularly given the complex intersection of digital information flows and sustainable development challenges.
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21 Comments
Glad to see the UN taking concrete steps to address misinformation’s threat to the Sustainable Development Goals. Comprehensive, multinational data will be invaluable.
This survey represents an important step, but addressing misinformation’s impact will require coordinated, multi-stakeholder efforts well beyond just data collection.
Absolutely. Translating the survey’s insights into concrete policy and behavior change will be the ultimate challenge. But it’s a necessary one to tackle.
Curious to see how the survey defines and measures ‘misinformation’ versus legitimate debate and disagreement. The line can sometimes be blurry.
Good point. Clearly defining the scope and parameters will be crucial for the survey’s credibility and usefulness. Nuance will be important.
Curious to see how the survey evaluates the specific impact of misinformation on progress in the mining, metals, and energy sectors. These industries are crucial for sustainable development.
Good point. Misinformation in these technical, scientific domains can have serious consequences. The survey should examine those sectoral impacts in detail.
As a mining and commodities investor, I’m especially interested in how misinformation may be impacting progress in those sectors. Looking forward to the survey findings.
This initiative aligns well with the Global Digital Compact’s goals. Rigorous data collection and analysis on misinformation’s effects will strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
As a uranium miner, I’m particularly interested in how misinformation may be impacting perceptions and adoption of nuclear power as a clean energy solution.
Curious to see if the survey examines regional or sectoral differences in how misinformation manifests and affects sustainable development efforts.
Tackling misinformation’s effects on sustainable development is a complex challenge. This UN survey is a welcome step, but will require sustained commitment.
Hopeful this survey can identify effective interventions to counter misinformation and support progress on critical global goals like climate action and clean energy.
Agreed, identifying successful strategies will be key. The survey’s findings could inform best practices for governments, tech platforms, and civil society.
As a lithium producer, I’ll be closely following the survey’s findings on how misinformation may be shaping perceptions and policies around critical minerals.
The survey’s broad scope, covering all 193 UN member states, should provide a comprehensive global perspective on this problem. Looking forward to seeing the results.
Absolutely, a global assessment is necessary given the transnational nature of misinformation. Hopefully the findings can inform coordinated international efforts to combat it.
Interesting initiative by the UN to assess the impact of misinformation on sustainable development goals. Gathering data on this issue is crucial to address it effectively.
I agree, misinformation can seriously undermine progress on critical global challenges. Robust data and analysis will be key to developing appropriate policy responses.
The survey’s long timeframe, until 2025, suggests this will be an ongoing, in-depth assessment. Sustaining that level of engagement will be crucial for meaningful results.
Agreed, a multi-year survey is necessary to capture longitudinal trends and evolving misinformation patterns. Consistent data collection will strengthen the analysis.