Committee: [Insert Committee Name — e.g., Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural) or First Committee (Disarmament and International Security)]
Topic: Harnessing Social Media to Mitigate and Prevent Global Conflicts
Sponsor: Commonwealth of Australia
Co-Sponsors: [To be determined during the conference — suggested: New Zealand, India, Chile, and the Netherlands]
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 53/144 on the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals to Promote and Protect Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and 68/163 on the right to privacy in the digital age,
Recognizing the transformative influence of social media in shaping public discourse, mobilizing communities, and impacting global conflicts — both as a tool for peacebuilding and as a conduit for disinformation, hate speech, and conflict escalation,
Acknowledging Australia’s leadership in digital innovation, its commitment to democratic values, and its regional experience in countering online extremism and fostering social cohesion across the Asia-Pacific,
Noting with concern the role of social media in fueling propaganda, inciting violence, and aggravating conflicts in regions such as Myanmar, Ukraine, and the Middle East, often outpacing effective regulatory mechanisms,
Emphasizing the urgent need for a coordinated international framework that balances freedom of expression with the imperative to prevent harm, empowering states, technology companies, and civil society actors alike,
Appreciating initiatives such as the Christchurch Call to Action and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, while recognizing the need for more targeted approaches to address social media’s impact on specific conflicts,
Hereby Resolves to:
1. Establish a Global Social Media and Conflict Framework (GSMCF):
a. Create a UN-led task force by 2026, co-chaired by Australia and a developing Member State, to develop comprehensive guidelines for managing the role of social media in conflict prevention and response;
b. Mandate the GSMCF to produce an annual report starting in 2027 on social media trends and conflict dynamics, aimed at informing global policy and early warning mechanisms;
2. Counter Disinformation and Hate Speech:
a. Urge Member States to implement National Digital Literacy Campaigns, with technical and financial support from the UN, to educate the public on identifying and countering online disinformation and hate speech;
b. Encourage collaboration with social media platforms to develop and deploy real-time content monitoring tools, in consultation with the UN, ensuring that freedom of expression is preserved;
3. Promote Peacebuilding Through Social Media:
a. Support the launch of a UN Social Media Peace Initiative (SMPI), financed through voluntary contributions, to amplify local peacebuilding voices and promote counter-narratives to conflict propaganda;
b. Invite Member States to contribute to the creation of a Global Online Peacebuilding Platform to document successful initiatives and facilitate collaboration among peace activists across regions;
4. Enhance Accountability and Regulation:
a. Call for the development of a UN-endorsed Voluntary Code of Conduct for social media companies, outlining principles for transparency, ethical content moderation, and cooperation during conflicts;
b. Request the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to assist developing countries in strengthening regulatory and institutional capacity to address social media misuse, while safeguarding free expression;
5. Protect Privacy and Vulnerable Populations:
a. Urge all stakeholders to uphold international human rights standards regarding data protection and user privacy in conflict-related social media interventions;
b. Encourage targeted programs, led by UN Women and UNESCO, to support women, youth, and marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by digital conflict dynamics;
6. Foster International Collaboration:
a. Propose the establishment of an annual Global Forum on Social Media and Conflict, beginning in 2027, to review progress, share best practices, and adapt global strategies to the evolving digital environment;
b. Invite regional organizations, including ASEAN and the African Union, to develop context-specific strategies leveraging social media for conflict prevention and resolution;