King Charles warns of impact of ‘misinformation, extremism’ in Samoa speech

King Charles III has raised alarm over misinformation, extremism and the impact of social media on society as part of his address to Commonwealth countries meeting in Samoa.

King Charles at the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia. Picture: AFP.

King Charles III has raised alarm over misinformation, extremism and the impact of social media on society as part of his address to Commonwealth countries meeting in Samoa.

Speaking at the biannual event for the first time as leader of the Commonwealth, King Charles said it was critical that countries ensured social media and artificial intelligence “works for our societies, not against them”.

“Together we can expand opportunities across this family of nations to build shared prosperity and truly resilient economies, while also meeting growing challenges such as disinformation and extremism and ensuring that the untold potential of technology, including artificial intelligence and social media, works for our societies, not against them,” he said.

“We can surely try to invest in as many as possible of the one and a half billion people under the age of 30 in the Commonwealth to ensure they have the right personal development … skills opportunities and entrepreneurial drive, as well as the ability to thrive and prosper in this changing world while being shielded from the negative aspects of technology.”

His comments come as the Albanese government looks towards implementing social media bans and passing misinformation legislation.

The King also declared climate change an existential threat, describing it as the challenge that “conditions all other challenges”.

Speaking in Samoa as part of a meeting of Commonwealth leaders, King Charles said he had done “his best” to emphasise over many years the significance of climate change, which was an existential threat to many countries.

“We are well past believing it is a problem for the future, since it is already undermining the development gains we have long fought for.

“This year alone, we have seen terrifying storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa and catastrophic wildfires in Canada. Lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth.”

King Charles III delivers a speech during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, Picture: AFP.

King Charles said he could “only offer every encouragement for action with unequivocal determination to arrest rising temperatures by cutting emissions” and for resilience building “as far as possible to both the current and forecast impacts of climate change”.

“If we do not, then inequalities across the Commonwealth and beyond would only be exacerbated with the potential to fuel division and conflict,” he said.

“It has become clear to me that public finance, while crucial, will not be sufficient on its own to tackle all of this, let alone achieve any of the United Nations development goals, especially in the time frames required.

“The Commonwealth therefore has an opportunity to work together with the private sector and civil society to unlock private sector capital for this mission, and in so doing, promote trade and investment and opportunities for young people.”

The King said meeting with leaders of other Commonwealth countries has made him see how “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”, amid ongoing discussions of Britain’s history of slavery and the need for reparations.

King Charles speaks with Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of The Commonwealth. Picture: Getty Images.

“We know and understand each other such that we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect,” he said.

“At a time of heightened global tensions, of horrifying conflict and challenges of the greatest magnitude it seems to me that these connections between us are more precious than ever.”

King Charles said it was “vital” that the Commonwealth understood its history in order to be guided towards making “the right choices in the future”.

“Our cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from. understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” he said.

“None of us can change the past, but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to write inequalities that endure.

“Where inequality exists, for example, in access to opportunity, to education, to skills training, to employment, to health and to a planet in whose climate our human race can both survive and thrive, we must find the right ways and the right language to address them.”

He said the modern Commonwealth has always committed itself “to developing free and democratic societies and promoting peace and prosperity for all”.

Queen Camilla poses with board members during a visit to the Samoa Victim Support Group. Picture: Getty Images.

“This endeavour underpins how we understand and tackle contemporary and emerging challenges, rooted in our shared belief in the rule of law

and an international order where every nation has a voice,” he said.

King Charles also announced that he would be expanding the King’s trust to Pacific countries.

Founded in 1976 by then-Prince Charles, the King’s Trust aims to help vulnerable young people in getting their lives on track.

“I have tried in whatever way I can to foster opportunity, particularly for young people and for those whose voices may not otherwise be heard,” he said.

“I am delighted that the Kings trust next year will be celebrating its 50th birthday and that with local partners its important work has already reached over 100,000 young people in its time.

“I am delighted the offer to launch a new Commonwealth Fellowship program for students from the small island states to build skills that will underpin a resilient future such as in nursing, teaching, engineering and the green transition.”