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Statement of the Republic of Lithuania at the Interactive Briefing and Discussion: Delivering the Pact for the Future: Progress Made and the Way Forward on Friday, 27 February 2026.

• Thank the Permanent Missions of Germany and Namibia and the Executive Office of the Secretary General for convening this timely discussion on the Pact’s implementation. Indeed, as noted in the concept note, it is “seen as the most ambitious leader-level consensus document in support of multilateralism in many years”.
• Lithuania, together with the European Union, has been consistently at the forefront of these efforts. In the lead-up to the Summit of the Future, we invested significant attention and resources to ensure that clear language to responding to acts of aggression and on countering disinformation is reflected both in the Pact for the Future and in its annex, the Global Digital Compact. This has been a priority for us, not only as a political commitment but as a practical necessity in today’s information environment.
• Once this document was adopted, we devoted significant amount of efforts to “domesticate” Pact commitments at the national level by involving relevant institutions to ensure this document receives adequate attention, backed by the necessary political will and means of implementation.
• Let me underline key examples of our engagement:

Acts of aggression:

• 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-facilitated the UN General Assembly resolution on the cooperation between UN and the Council of Europe, which included 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 SDGs and the climate agenda, raising awareness of the current challenges in ensuring information integrity.
• At the end of the last year, Lithuania organized a visit of Lithuanian journalists (also involving regional media) to the UN. This initiative helped deepen their understanding of UN processes and reporting complexities, while also strengthening their resilience against disinformation targeting the UN system. It enabled more accurate and nuanced reporting to our domestic audiences—something we consider vital for maintaining informed public debate.

While putting a lot of effort into implementing the Pact’s commitments, I would like to frame our approach to the topic of military expenditure and its impact on SDGs:

• Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion to Ukraine, regional and global stability remains under constant threat. As a front-line state, Lithuania views security investment as a prerequisite for development.
• [We emphasize that under acute threat, defense spending protects – rather than undermines – sustainable development.] Without security, achievements in health and education are fragile. Peace is not just SDG 16; it is the foundation for all goals.
• Therefore, we call for a nuanced UN approach that distinguishes between offensive militarization and defensive resilience. For us, military expenditure is a direct investment in civilian protection and economic continuity, ensuring that years of SDG progress are not erased by external aggression.
• As a long-standing co-sponsor of the UN Resolution on Military Expenditures, Lithuania maintains objective and transparent reporting.
• As a NATO Ally, Lithuania is increasing its defense spending in response to Russia’s long‑term threat to Euro‑Atlantic security, yet we remain firmly committed to the SDGs. Our strong standing — 29th in both the 2024 and 2025 SDG Indexes — shows that enhanced security requirements do not diminish our dedication to sustainable development.

Conclusion

• To conclude, let me reaffirm Lithuania’s unwavering commitment and active engagement in the implementation of the Pact for the Future.