Norway
Excellencies,
Distinguished Members of Parliament,
Dear colleagues,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Parliamentary Track of IGF 2025 in Lillestr?m.
As we convene for this important meeting, our purpose is clear:
To bring legislators together with all stakeholders in shaping digital policies and legislative frameworks -- that ensure an open, inclusive, and secure Internet for all.
Under the overarching theme of IGF 2025 ¡ª"Building Digital Governance Together", we will focus on the critical need for international digital cooperation to address today¡¯s digital challenges.
Among the most urgent of these is the dual imperative: to protect freedom of expression while combating the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation.
The ability to speak freely, access accurate information, and engage in open online discourse is the bedrock of democratic societies.
Yet, these fundamental rights are being tested not only by disinformation and censorship, but also by the rise of powerful technologies like generative AI,
that further blurs the lines between fact and fiction, challenging our very understanding of truth.
We face profound challenges -- from false narratives that erode trust in public institutions, to targeted disinformation campaigns that threaten peace and stability.
The digital environment demands new approaches that uphold human rights while preserving civic space. At the same time, we must ensure that responses to these threats do not infringe upon the very freedoms we seek to protect.
As Members of Parliament, your role in navigating this complex terrain is pivotal.
You have the authority to craft legislation that:
? safeguards freedom of expression and access to information,
? promotes media and information literacy,
? and strengthens the resilience of democratic discourse.
You can foster a digital environment:
? Where the right to express diverse views is protected and respected,
? And where reliable, fact-based information is prioritized over manipulation and distortion.
This is how we can ensure that innovation and inclusion advance in lockstep with human dignity and safety.
By actively engaging in this Forum, you are not only contributing to a vital global dialogue on digital policies, but also shaping national frameworks that reflect these shared values.
I urge you to carry the outcomes of our discussions here in IGF 2025 back to your respective parliaments, driving continued momentum and policy coherence at both national and regional levels.
Over the past year, we have seen encouraging progress, with expanding parliamentary engagement in national and regional IGFs ¡ª from West Africa to Asia Pacific. This localization of our global conversations is essential.
We are eager to learn from your insights and national experiences, and identify new avenues for collaboration.
Let us strengthen this engagement and champion digital governance that respects freedom of expression, addresses information integrity, and supports open, inclusive, and rights-based digital spaces.
I extend my sincere thanks to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Norwegian Parliament, and all our partners for their invaluable collaboration on the Parliamentary Track, and for their commitment to integrating parliamentary voices into UN processes.
I wish you fruitful exchanges and impactful outcomes.
Thank you.