United Nations Development Programme has launched a new regional dialogue initiative aimed at strengthening the role of faith-based leaders in preventing violent extremism in digital spaces across Asia.
The First Regional Forum of the Faith-Based Leaders Regional Dialogue Process on Preventing Violent Extremism in the Digital Space was held in Bangkok from 12–14 May 2026. Organized by the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, the event brought together more than 50 faith leaders, experts, and stakeholders from across Asia to discuss online radicalisation, misinformation, hate speech, and digital harm.
During the opening session, Frank Geens emphasized the growing importance of faith-based leaders in countering misinformation and social division online. He described religious leaders as trusted voices capable of building community resilience against exclusion, hatred, and extremist ideologies.
The forum forms part of the “Supporting Asian Countries’ Resilience to Violent Extremism in the Digital Space” initiative, a joint partnership between United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime funded by the European Union.
Participants from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Sri Lanka shared experiences and strategies for addressing violent extremism both offline and online. Discussions focused on the impact of digital platforms, manipulation of religious narratives, online targeting of women and young people, and the importance of protecting human rights while combating extremism.
Niamh Collier-Smith stated that violent extremism often grows in environments shaped by exclusion, discrimination, injustice, and social isolation. She noted that while technology can amplify these conditions, long-term prevention depends on trusted community figures who can foster resilience and social cohesion.
The dialogue process has been designed as a multi-year regional initiative aimed at encouraging peer learning, collaboration, and capacity building among faith-based leaders working to prevent online radicalisation and promote safer digital communities across Asia.
