Factum, an Asia-Pacific-focused foreign policy think-tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with support from the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives is hosting a global summit on mitigating online harms and strengthening societal resilience, on June 11-12 at the Cinammon Life, Colombo. Titled Electoral, Platform, and Information Integrity Global South Summit (EPIGS'25), the event will bring together digital rights experts, media personnel, technology specialists, civil society, and government representatives from over 12 countries of the Global South and assess how online harms are negatively impacting electoral processes. 

The Summit will also spotlight how harmful content is disseminated through digital platforms and the challenges in upholding electoral and platform integrity, which erodes public trust in democratic systems and pollutes political and grassroots dissent. Multiple stakeholders have emphasized the urgent need for greater platform accountability, calling for digital intermediaries  to strengthen their efforts in curbing  online harms that threaten democratic values. 

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who was the Chief Guest at the event, noted the need for more gender sensitive approach in addressing online harms. "How platforms react to content related violations must be made language sensitive. As much as social media has connected us better, it is the most disempowered or excluded communities that face the most amount of online harm. We need to acknowledge and work towards resolving this''.

European Union Ambassador, Carmen Moreno underlined that “the challenges that our democracies face online – hate and harmful speech, political manipulation and false information – transcend geographical borders. We need a cohesive global response to digital threats, built on joint reflection, sharing of experiences and collaboration”. 

“There is consensus that the Global South needs to take part in crafting online standards that affect them more proactively. . EPIGS’25 is a progressive step in multiple countries convening to develop an action plan to address issues in the digital space after years of consultation and strategy discussions,” said Omar Rajarathnam, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Factum.

The summit aims to foster cross-national collaboration and develop comprehensive approaches to digital governance that preserves the integrity of electoral processes and enhances public trust in democratic institutions.