Fifteen member states of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), including Morocco, have unveiled a strategic initiative to promote online content integrity, announced during the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, held from December 15-19 in Saudi Arabia.
Morocco’s participation in the forum is led by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, the Minister in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. She also took part in the DCO’s Ministerial Dialogue on Fake News in Riyadh. In her address, Seghrouchni highlighted the growing complexity of fake news amidst rapid digital transformation and technological advances. She reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to tackling this challenge, stressing the severe consequences of disinformation across various sectors and the importance of safeguarding individual rights and privacy. Seghrouchni emphasized that collaboration within the DCO and the sharing of best practices among member states would be key in mitigating the impact of fake news.
On the sidelines of the forum, Morocco and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in government digital transition. This partnership aims to bolster coordination between the two countries, supporting research, innovation, and the adoption of new technologies in E-government, as well as promoting the sharing of best practices and specialized skills.
Under the theme “Ministerial Dialogue on Fake News: Toward a Unified Strategy,” the forum gathered ministers from DCO member states to discuss coordinated approaches to combat disinformation. During the event, the DCO officially launched its initiative to enhance online content integrity. The initiative was formalized through a joint declaration signed by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and Rwanda.
DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya emphasized the urgency of addressing disinformation, citing surveys from 46 countries showing that over 59% of respondents are concerned about distinguishing real content from fake online. AlYahya described disinformation as a digital pandemic that requires immediate, collective action, warning that it could disrupt elections in several countries over the next two years, potentially destabilizing global systems.
The UN Internet Governance Forum, which attracted over 10,000 participants from 170 countries, hosted approximately 300 thematic sessions and workshops. It served as a platform for exchanging expertise, sharing information, and identifying emerging digital challenges while fostering collaboration among public and private sectors and civil society organizations.
