The Global Conference on Digital Platform Governance 2026, organized by UNESCO, was held in Pretoria, South Africa. Over the course of three consecutive days, the conference addressed the key challenges and priorities in regulating the digital space at a global level.
Representatives from countries around the world, high-level regulatory authorities, media organizations, and academics addressed issues related to ensuring a safe, inclusive and human rights–based information environment. The discussions focused on strengthening mechanisms for responsible governance and enhancing international cooperation.
The thematic sessions highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of experiences among regulators and institutional actors from various regions, including Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. These discussions reaffirmed the key role of multilateral approaches in developing effective digital platform governance policies and in protecting information integrity.
At the conclusion of the conference, the “Pretoria Declaration” was adopted, setting out concrete commitments for UNESCO’s Guidelines implementation and for strengthening transparency, accountability and the protection of human rights in the digital environment.
The declaration outlines specific measures to increase platform transparency, including periodic reporting on content moderation, effective user complaint mechanisms and expanded access to platform data for researchers conducting public-interest research.
A distinct focus is placed on user protection, particularly for children and vulnerable groups, the Media and Information Literacy promotion and the development of standards for assessing systemic risks related to electoral integrity, media freedom and information integrity.
The conference concluded with a shared commitment to building a safer and more trustworthy digital environment by strengthening international cooperation and advancing coordinated policy development at the global level.
