Lithuania at UNESCO 🇱🇹

Ambassador @GMarcinkevicius held an insightful exchange with @UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations Lidia Brito about the development of the UNESCO Framework on Crisis Preparedness and Response, #UNESCO80 reform roadmap, and the key priorities and challenges shaping UNESCO’s next Programme and Budget. Permanent Delegate also underscored the importance of the Organization's sustained engagement and continued commitment to Ukraine, including the support for @UNESCO_kyiv and its efforts to advance the country’s recovery and resilience.

Today during a meeting with @UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Qun Chen, Ambassador @GMarcinkevicius commended UNESCO’s efforts to protect and sustain learning in times of conflict, natural disasters, and pandemics. Permanent Delegate particularly welcomed UNESCO’s efforts to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning in Ukraine, shared Lithuania’s expertise and good practices, including the Future School for Ukraine initiative, and invited UNESCO to join forces for cooperation on the ground. Ambassador also underscored the importance of UNESCO’s work in combating antisemitism through education and expressed appreciation for the Organization’s continued leadership and commitment in this field.

We are pleased to share and join in a meaningful tribute from @UNESCO_DG Khaled El-Enany to H.E. Valdas Adamkus, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Construction of Knowledge Societies and former President of Lithuania, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. President Adamkus’s lifelong commitment to freedom, democracy, environmental stewardship, international cooperation, and the advancement of knowledge societies continues to inspire generations in Lithuania and around the world. We are grateful for @UNESCO’s recognition of H.E. Valdas Adamkus’s outstanding contributions and enduring dedication to the values that unite our international community.

🚩Killings of journalists, media workers and social media producers engaged in journalistic activity rose by 20% to 189 during the period 2024-2025. This biennium had the highest number of killings recorded since 2014-2015. 🚩15 journalists were killed in conflict zones while wearing identifiable press vests or in vehicles clearly marked as press. 🚩Impunity for killings of journalists has increased globally, and six out of seven killings remain ongoing or unresolved. 🚩There was a decrease in state reactions to the @UNESCO Director-General’s request for information on the status of judicial inquiries and criminal investigations into the cases of killed journalists, to 62%, down from 80% in the previous biennium. These are some of the highlights from the UNESCO Director-General’s latest report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity, presented at UNESCO House today, on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. As Dr. Khaled El-Enany @UNESCO_DG and other distinguished speakers noted, behind all the figures, there are persons, their families and communities. Protecting journalists means protecting the right of us all to be informed. Journalists must be able to seek assistance without fear of retaliation.

About last night: attending the inauguration of the inspiring exhibition "Carabinieri, Italian Biodiversity Keepers" at @UNESCO House. The exhibition offers a fascinating journey through Italy's extraordinary biodiversity and highlights the important work of the carabinieri in safeguarding forests, wildlife and ecosystems for future generations. A timely reminder that biodiversity is our shared heritage, and that protecting nature is a responsibility we all share. Congratulations to Ambassador Liborio Stellino, the Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO, and the Carabinieri Corps for this remarkable initiative. #UNESCO #Biodiversity #NatureConservation #Italy #Sustainability

During a forward-looking and constructive meeting with @UNESCO Deputy Director-General Åsa Regnér, Ambassador @GMarcinkevicius discussed the opportunities and challenges of #UNESCO80. Permanent Delegate highlighted UNESCO’s important role in advancing gender-transformative approach and encouraged the Organization’s continued support for Ukraine.

Thank you, @UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information @GabrielMariya, for the warm welcome and insightful discussion on the role of independent and sustainable journalism in national security, media literacy in the digital age, and UNESCO’s future contribution to AI governance.