UNOV - United Nations Office at Wien

06/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2025 18:05

Secretary-General’s message

For information only - not an official document

UNIS/SGSM/1502
12 June 2025

The Secretary-General

18 June 2025

Hate speech is poison in the well of society. It has paved the way for violence and atrocity during the darkest chapters of human history. Ethnic and religious minorities often bear the brunt - facing discrimination, exclusion and harm.

Today, as this year's theme reminds us, hate speech travels faster and farther than ever, amplified by Artificial Intelligence. Biased algorithms and digital platforms are spreading toxic content and creating new spaces for harassment and abuse.

The Global Digital Compact, adopted at the Summit of the Future, offers a path forward: calling for stronger international cooperation to tackle hate online, rooted in human rights and international law.

To drown out the voices of hate, we need partnerships at every level: among governments, civil society, private companies and religious and community leaders. We need to counter toxic narratives with positive messaging and empower people to recognize, reject and stand up to hate speech. The United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech guides the way.

The Global Principles for Information Integrity that I launched last year are also supporting and informing these efforts, as we push for a safer and more humane information ecosystem.

As we mark this day, let us commit to using Artificial Intelligence, not as a tool of hate, but as a force for good. Let us stand united in the pursuit of peace, mutual respect, and understanding for all.

* *** *

UNOV - United Nations Office at Wien published this content on June 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 17, 2025 at 00:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io