Deputy Secretary‑General of ASEAN, H.E. Nararya Soeprapto, delivered the keynote remarks at the International Day for Universal Access to Information on 29–30 September 2025 in Manila, Philippines. In his remarks, he underscored access to reliable environmental data empowers communities to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and ensure accountability. Digital technologies expand access but also raise challenges of equity, privacy, and misinformation, including the risks of disinformation and deepfakes that can erode public trust. To address these, he further stressed the need for inclusive digital infrastructure, stronger cooperation on cybersecurity and media integrity, and clear legal frameworks that guarantee and enforce public access to environmental information.