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Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

On this important occasion, we reaffirm our support to the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. 

This year’s focus on the link of hate speech with Artificial Intelligence is very timely in light of the extraordinary speed of technological developments we continue to witness. As UN Member States, we find ourselves trying to keep up with these technological advances, in the hope to harness their immense powers to contribute to global participation and equity, progress towards the SDGs, and respect for human rights for all.

Unfortunately, despite all the opportunities they offer, it cannot be denied that the Internet and new technologies have been considerable accelerators for the dissemination of hatred and intolerance. Online companies and platforms must therefore take responsibility for any illegal content they may host. What is illegal offline must be illegal online.

Allow me to outline two key EU measures in this regard:

Firstly, in June 2024, the EU adopted the world’s first-ever rules on AI. The Artificial Intelligence Act regulates AI to encourage innovation while protecting users and their human rights. To this end, it establishes a risk-based classification of AI systems, with compliance requirements that increase or decrease depending on the system’s risk level. While many AI applications pose minimal risks and might therefore only be required to fulfil transparency requirements - for example by clearly marking products of generative AI - a number of potentially harmful AI applications are banned within the EU on this basis. This includes technology for the biometric identification and categorisation of humans, as well as so-called “social scoring AI” that classifies people based on behaviour, socio-economic status or personal characteristics.

Significantly, all AI systems within the EU are to be overseen by humans, rather than by automation, to prevent harmful outcomes. We must ensure that digital and AI skills are leveraged to amplify human results rather than replace them, keeping technology at the service of human well-being.

Secondly, in November 2022, the EU Digital Services Act went into force. It tackles all forms of illegal content - including hate speech - online, while protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. The DSA introduces transparency obligations for online platforms regarding their content moderation activities, terms and conditions, algorithms, and advertising, with particularly increased transparency and accountability measures for very large online platforms.

In January 2025, a Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online was integrated into the regulatory framework of the Digital Service Act. It specifically strengthens the way online platforms deal with content that constitutes illegal hate speech according to EU and EU Member States’ laws.

And the work continues: In May 2025, the Council of the EU underlined the importance of an EU Strategy on Artificial Intelligence in Science, to be developed in close cooperation with the scientific community and based on a human-centric approach and the principles of digital humanism.

Perhaps not unsurprisingly, we can see a strong backlash against these measures. Businesses by definition do not enjoy having to fulfil additional responsibilities. Some UN Member States are eager to support this stance, criticising the EU for alleged “censorship” and restrictions of the freedom of speech. Let me be very clear in response to such criticism:

The right to freedom of opinion and expression is an inalienable right of each person, and a cornerstone of European liberal democratic societies. This freedom extends to information and ideas that may offend, shock or disturb others, including criticism of religion, ideology, beliefs and institutions.

However, the right to freedom of opinion and expression is not absolute. States are obliged to prohibit by law incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. And our national courts, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights ensure that these rights are fully protected in accordance with international human rights law. 

In the Global Digital Compact, UN Member States agreed to uphold international human rights law throughout the life cycle of digital and emerging technologies, so that users can safely benefit from digital technologies. It is our collective responsibility to put in place the right safeguards at global level, as a common reference framework on which national content moderation policies can be built.

We are convinced that freedom of expression and the fight against hate speech are complementary, not contradictory, and we remain fully committed to cooperating with the UN and our international partners to address this global challenge.

Thank you.