New York, 27 April 2026
Mr. Chair,
Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and its Member States, and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity.
Mr. Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
Italy warmly congratulates the Department of Global Communications on its 80th anniversary. This milestone, coinciding with the founding of the United Nations, offers an important reminder that effective communication is not ancillary, but central to the Organization’s mission.
In a context of eroding trust in multilateral institutions, Italy believes that informing, engaging, and connecting people across regions and cultures is essential to promoting global awareness and building support for the work of the United Nations worldwide. In this regard, we commend initiatives such as the exhibition “Shared Lives, Shared Future”, referenced in the Secretary-General’s report and organized by DGC with the support of the Missions of Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland on the occasion of the UN’s 80th anniversary. We appreciate that the exhibition is now being organized in several other countries and venues around the world.
We welcome the Department’s restructuring efforts, as outlined by Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming, in the context of the current liquidity crisis and the UN80 initiative, and we commend particularly DGC’s commitment to maintaining mandated responsibilities while enhancing efficiency, strategic focus, and accountability for impact.
Within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s recent reform, Italy has also undertaken significant steps to reinforce its communication and information architecture. The Press and Institutional Communication Bureau has been elevated in prominence and now constitutes a Unit within the Executive office of the Ministry’s Secretary-General. At the same time, the establishment of a new Directorate-General for Cyber Issues, Information Technology and Innovation marks a major step forward in addressing the challenges of the digital age. This structure enhances Italy’s capacity to counter information threats, strengthen cyber and digital resilience and promote secure information ecosystems. Together, these reforms reflect a comprehensive approach that integrates traditional diplomacy with digital innovation and strategic communication.
In this context, artificial intelligence represents one of the defining technological transformations of our time. We commend the Department’s efforts, outlined in the Secretary General’s reports, to harness AI tools in support of translation and multilingual outreach, ensuring that technological progress strengthens rather than diminishes linguistic and cultural diversity. Italy supports the call for AI systems that are safe, secure, and trustworthy—grounded in human rights, transparency and accountability.
Mr. Chair,
At a time when the global information environment is under unprecedented strain, Italy welcomes the growing recognition that information integrity is a prerequisite for peace, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights. In this context, the President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella – recently speaking to students of journalism – emphasized that free and independent information is a cornerstone of democracy and that journalists play an essential role in safeguarding truth, particularly in times marked by several conflicts and the spread of false narratives. Italy remains firmly committed to the protection of journalists and media professionals, as well as to ensuring that they can operate safely and independently.
We remain convinced that effective communication is not only about informing; it is also about inspiring trust, engagement and shared responsibility. This is particularly crucial when addressing younger generations, whose understanding and support will shape the future of multilateralism.
Strengthening communication that is transparent, inclusive and forward-looking is therefore essential to ensuring that the values and work of the United Nations continue to resonate across generations.
This encompasses the work of DGC as well as the one of all our Representations.
Thank you Mr. Chair, and congratulations on your Chairmanship.
