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Statement of the Republic of Lithuania at The Informal Interactive Dialogue on the Implementation of the Pact for the Future Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Lithuania fully aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add a few remarks in its national capacity.

Thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this timely discussion on the Pact’s implementation and the Secretary General for outlining the UN’s efforts and the challenges in this crucial endeavour.

Lithuania actively engaged in the lead-up to the Summit of the Future, where the Pact for the Future was adopted, with clearly defined priorities.

Once this document was adopted, we have involved relevant national institutions to ensure this document receives adequate attention, backed by the necessary political will and means of implementation.

It is crucial to prioritize addressing acts of aggression, countering disinformation, and ensuring information integrity. Those are the areas that Lithuania is taking a lead in the framework of the European Union Action Champions, mentioned in the statement by the European Union.

Acts of Aggression

Ahead of the General Assembly Emergency Special Session on 24 February regarding the Ukraine peace resolution, Lithuania, alongside the European Union Delegation and other European Union Member States, pursued a coordinated approach both in New York and globally. This demonstrated clear leadership, and the UN General Assembly vote on Ukraine peace resolutions was pivotal in reaffirming the principles of the UN Charter, identifying the aggressor, and setting parameters for peace.

Lithuania, in collaboration with Baltic states or in its national capacity, regularly delivers statements in the UN Security Council and General Assembly Emergency Special Sessions on Ukraine’s security, contributing to early warning systems and preventive diplomacy as well as highlighting the importance of accountability.

Lithuania, together with Luxembourg, co-facilitates the UN General Assembly resolution on the cooperation between UN and the Council of Europe, which in its present form includes references to the establishment of the Register of Damages as well as to the work of the core group on the establishment of Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Countering Disinformation

In collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the UN and the UN Department of Global Communications, Lithuania hosted a side event on the role of information integrity in safeguarding multilateralism. This event emphasized the need to combat disinformation in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and the climate agenda, raising awareness of the current challenges in ensuring information integrity.

Lithuania is ready to share its whole-of-society approach to combating disinformation that threatens international peace and security. We will present our experiences, showcase effective national measures, and encourage the adoption of best practices by other countries and international organizations. Through multilateral platforms, we aim to raise awareness of disinformation as a tool for justifying aggression, inciting conflicts, and undermining democratic processes.

Lithuanian Ambassador to the UN Rytis Paulauskas (together with Kenyan Ambassador) successfully completed the co-facilitation of the WSIS+20 review modalities resolution that was adopted yesterday by the UN General Assembly paving the way for the review process itself. The WSIS process includes key elements that contribute to combating disinformation, such as media and information literacy, cybersecurity, and trust. Lithuania’s active engagement in this process reflects its strong commitment and leadership in tackling disinformation at both the UN and regional levels.

Artificial intelligence

To promote democratic values and human rights on a global scale in the development and use of digital technologies, Lithuania underlines the importance of the Vilnius Convention – the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI) signed in Vilnius on September 5, 2024 (even before the adoption of the Pact for the Future). It is the first international legally binding treaty establishing a global minimum standard for the protection of human rights from the risks posed by AI.

Conclusion

To conclude, Mr. Secretary-General, I reaffirm Lithuania’s unwavering commitment and active engagement in the implementation of the Pact for the Future.