Statement of Latvia at the 4th Committee on Questions relating to information, Eightieth Session of the UN General Assembly
Full statement
New York, 4 November 2025
Madam Chair,
Latvia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and makes this statement in its national capacity.
I would first like to express our appreciation to the Committee for its comprehensive report and to the Chair from Estonia and his bureau for their diligent work. I would also like to commend the work of the DGC and Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming. The UN has notable reach, bringing continued attention to crises and emergencies, ongoing armed conflicts, information integrity, gender equality, climate action, peacekeeping and other topics. The Live Blog and behind-the-scenes videos during the High-Level Week are excellent examples. I would like particularly mention “The UN Global Principles for Information Integrity” developed by the DGC as a key tool. The DGC recently published the first issue of the “From Principles to Practice” brief on information integrity. It is a timely and useful resource to build capacity and to be prepared to respond proactively to misinformation and disinformation.
Madam Chair,
As we mark 80 years of the UN, it is more important than ever for the UN to be present on our screens and in traditional media. Member States expect efficient and timely coverage of UN-mandated proceedings, strategic narratives on the UN’s work, and an engaging presence on social media. This work will require doing more with less. This is where trialling AI tools with human oversight presents an opportunity worth pursuing.
The DGC has also intensified the UN’s efforts to respond to information threats by conducting regionally tailored training and briefings on topics such as disinformation, AI bias, and risk assessment. Such investments are costly but necessary for the ‘human oversight’ part of the equation. Latvia has extensive experience in championing media and information literacy programmes at home and in the European Eastern Neighbourhood, and beyond. Even in times of tighter resources, we need to continue supporting practitioners and experts working to strengthen information integrity.
In this age of widespread disinformation, facts and independent media are key to ensuring information integrity. In this regard, Latvia will continue supporting media freedom and journalists at risk. Latvia hosts exiled, banned and threatened independent journalists from Russia so they can continue their essential work.
Madam Chair,
In terms of information integrity and involvement of state actors, I would like to underscore two examples related to Russia – one long-standing, and one ongoing.
The long-standing example is Russia falsely labelling a “Nazi” or a “Russophobe” anyone pushing back against Russia’s imperialism, including its war of aggression against Ukraine. It has nothing to do with genuine international efforts to combat neo-Nazism. Historically, Latvia has suffered and lost about a quarter of its population to the atrocities of Nazi and Soviet totalitarian regimes. Then and today, we see virtually the same methods in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. They include attempts to erase a national identity, forcible Russification and deliberate changes to the demographic makeup in breach of humanitarian law.
The second example concerns Russia’s disinformation campaign against my country’s immigration policy. Russia often reverts to accusing others of practices it carries out itself. Facts speak for themselves. Recently, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported a disturbing Russia’s practice of driving out civilians from the temporary occupied territories. This amounts to a war crime. Outrageously, Russia has illegally deported over 20,000 Ukrainian children. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Russia, deportation rulings in Russia itself have significantly increased, with over 85,000 decisions in the first half of 2024.
Now to the facts about Latvia’s immigration policy. Before 2022, our immigration legislation maintained a gap in the requirements for permanent residence permits – some categories were able to acquire a permanent residence permit without passing a language test. In 2022, an amendment to the Immigration Law closed that gap and any foreign national now is required to pass a Latvian language test in order to obtain a permanent residence permit. It is a rudimentary A2 level test that indicates that a person can understand and use simple sentences. The requirement does not apply to seniors older than 75 and to individuals with health-related exemptions.
During the last 3 years, the majority of the about 30,000 foreign nationals affected by the amendments and wishing to remain in Latvia have renewed their residence permits. About 500 residence permits have expired or are near expiration. Each case is looked at individually. Ten foreign nationals who have not demonstrated an interest in continuing to reside in Latvia - either by failing to submit the required documents or by failing to provide proof of Latvian language proficiency – no longer have legal grounds to remain and have been issued an order to leave the country.
Sadly, Russia’s disinformation, denial and distraction tactics are also present here in the UN fora. Russia’s falsehoods are especially on full display at Security Council meetings on Ukraine, as well as regarding violations of European airspace in Estonia and Poland.
Madam Chair,
While AI brings opportunities, it also poses deepening risks to information integrity. Malign state and non-state actors are investing significant resources in their information manipulation campaigns, using AI-generated content and AI tools as part of them. These are consequential and harmful efforts to influence societies and democratic decision-making processes, especially elections. A recent example is Russia’s malign attempts to influence parliamentary elections in Moldova through illegal funds, disinformation, inauthentic claims and deepfakes. By working across agencies, Moldova is a successful example of a country resisting malign efforts. According to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the election day was orderly, transparent, and positively assessed by observers.
In this increasingly challenging landscape, Latvia works to promote information integrity – a global information environment that is free and open, but also safe, secure and resilient to manipulation. It is imperative to persist in international efforts towards a robust, transparent and accountable information space and AI governance. Recalling the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, communications technology and AI tool developers are also strongly urged to share responsibility and take measures to ensure trust, safety and transparency of their products.
Madam Chair,
Let me also highlight the Global Media and Information Literacy Week, which takes place every last week of October. Latvia is among its initiators. This year, we are highlighting the Handbook Against Disinformation: Recognise and Resist (2nd edition). Published recently by the Government Office of Latvia and available free of charge also in English, it showcases Latvia’s know-how on how to identify information manipulation methods, and how to effectively counter disinformation through education and building societal resilience. We urge marking this week annually with activities that raise awareness about disinformation and strengthen media and information literacy and societal resilience.
In conclusion, let me recall wisdom from former Secretary-General Kofi Annan: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”
Thank you.